Kazusa Beppu

Collective systems composed of self-propelled entities, such as microbial bacteria, mammalian cells, birds, and fish, are referred to as "active matter" and exhibit a rich variety of collective ordering, including swarming and vortex patterns. Achieving precise control over both individual dynamics and the emergent collective behavior of active matter remains a key interdisciplinary challenge spanning physics, life sciences, and engineering. Recently, I have developed a magnetic field control technique utilizing magnetic nanoparticles, which enables microscale manipulation of active matter. Using swimming bacteria and synthetic colloids as model systems, I am investigating the mechanisms underlying the physical control of individual movement and self-organized patterns in these active matter systems.