Colloidal model for polymers

Filaments are essential in both biological and synthetic systems, functioning as critical elements for structure, transport, and dynamic processes. In this talk, I present colloidal filaments as a controllable model system to investigate how flexibility and activity together govern filament dynamics. Using bead–spring colloidal chains with tunable rigidity and activity, we show how thermal forces, elasticity, and active flows combine to drive conformational fluctuations and propulsion at low Reynolds number. I will also demonstrate how passive filaments in turbulent bacterial baths acquire curvature and motion determined by the interplay between filament length and bacterial jet size. Finally, I outline future directions where colloidal model systems offer a powerful route to probe diverse non-equilibrium phenomena.