Thermodynamics of molecular active matter

In the field of Active Matter, extensive studies have been conducted on self‑propelled particles and phase separation. However, a variety of intriguing features arise at the molecular scale, particularly in the context of molecular machines such as enzymes. At these scales, there is a strong coupling between mechanical and chemical degrees of freedom.

Using a mechanistic framework for molecular machines, we explore the non‑equilibrium behaviors that emerge at the nanoscale. Furthermore, we extend our model to the level of an active solid and study the interplay between density and dissipation. Our findings establish a generic mechanism plausibly responsible for the nonmonotonic behavior observed in recent experimental measurements of entropy production rate in an actomyosin material and enzymatic activity in crowded condensates.