Speed Variability and Its Effects on the Mathematical Model of Self-Propelled Particles

Abstract

The proposed study analyzes the impact of speed fluctuations on the collective motion of self-propelled particles (SPPs) which plays an important role in the behavior of active materials. Mathematical and computational modeling is carried out to analyze the effects that speed fluctuations have on the closely coupled movements and collective behaviors of SPP systems. It is shown that speed variability affects the system’s organization and is a key factor that determines the transition between coherent and incoherent behavior. The proposed work presents a new theoretical tool that includes the effect of speed fluctuations on the existing model and helps to shed light on new regimes of active particle behavior. The obtained results have several implications for the broader class of active systems and could inform a range of research areas from biology to robotic swarm engineering.