The rhythm of swarms: Tunable particles synchronize movement like living organisms

Summary

Researchers from the University of Konstanz and Forschungszentrum Jülich have successfully created a tunable "swarmalator" system, demonstrating how tiny self-propelled particles can synchronize their movements and internal rhythms, akin to behaviors seen in nature such as those of fireflies and schooling fish. This study, published in Nature Communications, marks a significant advancement in understanding coordinated motion in particle systems.