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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/M009599/1
Title: Dry Active Matter on a Sphere
Principal Investigator: Sknepnek, Dr R
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Physics
Organisation: University of Dundee
Scheme: First Grant - Revised 2009
Starts: 01 May 2015 Ends: 31 October 2016 Value (£): 94,692
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Complex fluids & soft solids Mathematical Physics
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
23 Jul 2014 EPSRC Physical Sciences Physics - July 2014 Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
When flocks of birds migrate southwards imagine larger and larger swarms moving

together on a shrinking globe, until one gigantic flock covers the entire planet.

What becomes of their motion if they reach the pole? We propose to build and analyse

a model of active particles confined to move on the surface of a sphere. Unlike in the

plane where all particles can align with each and travel with the same velocity parallel

to each other, motion on the sphere is far more peculiar. This is a direct consequence

of the famous Hairy ball theorem that states that "you can't comb a hairy ball flat without

creating a cowlick". Translated into the language of active motion, it is not possible for the

entire flock to travel with a uniform velocity on the surface of a sphere. As a result, one expects

to observe a rich and complex set of motion patterns emerging from the intricate interplay

between the curvature and particles' alignment. It is our aim to identify, understand and classify

those motion patterns.
Key Findings
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Summary
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Organisation Website: http://www.dundee.ac.uk