Deformation-induced phase separation of active vesicles

Deformability significantly affects their collective behaviors and movements in complex environments. Here, we introduce a two-dimensional deformable active vesicle (DAV) model to emulate cell-like deformable active matter, wherein the deformability can be continuously adjusted.

We find that changes in deformability can induce phase separation of DAVs. The system can transition between a homogeneous gas state, a coexistence of gas and liquid, and a coexistence of gas and solid. The occurrence of deformation-induced phase separation is accompanied by nonmonotonic changes in effective concentration, particle size and shape.