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Shape Switching and Tunable Oscillations of Adaptive Droplets

Tim Dullweber1,2, Roman Belousov1, Camilla Autorino1,3, Nicoletta I. Petridou1, and Anna Erzberger1,2,*

  • *Contact author: erzberge@embl.de
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Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 128404 – Published 19 September, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/1cq4-x499

Abstract

Living materials adapt their shape to signals from the environment, yet the impact of shape changes on signal processing and associated feedback dynamics remains unclear. We find that droplets with signal-responsive interfacial tensions exhibit shape bistability, excitable dynamics, and oscillations. The underlying critical points reveal novel mechanisms for physical signal processing through shape adaptation in soft active materials. We recover signatures of one such critical point in experimental data from zebrafish embryos, where it supports boundary formation.

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Feedback between microscopic activity and macroscopic dynamics drives excitability and oscillations in mechanochemical matter

Tim Dullweber, Roman Belousov, and Anna Erzberger
Phys. Rev. E 112, 034411 (2025)

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Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 128404– Published 19 September, 2025
  • Received 17 February 2024
  • Accepted 14 July 2025
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