A team of researchers at the University of Maryland has uncovered a way to make microscopic particles self-organise into temporary, repeating structures in response to a steady electric current. According to the research, published in Nature Communications and found below, the tiny particles appear to cluster together and then separate again, creating what looks like a coordinated dance. This phenomenon belongs to the growing field of “active matter,” where particles act in ways that resemble living systems.
Rath, M., Srivastava, S., Carmona, E., Battumur, S., Arumugam, S., Albertus, P., & Woehl, T. (2025). Transient colloidal crystals fueled by electrochemical reaction products. Nature Communications, 16(1), 2077. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57333-4
Active matter generally involves systems that move, assemble, or swarm on their own, often under continuous influence from electrical or chemical cues. One of the co-lead investigators, Associate Professor Taylor Woehl, explained in a recent interview that while previous methods needed repeated external adjustments; like programming a robot, their approach requires just a single, constant electric voltage. Once that voltage is applied, electrochemical reactions in the liquid solution appear to prompt the particles to gather and then disperse in regular cycles.
The study was led by Associate Professor Woehl alongside Associate Professor Paul Albertus from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Lead author Medha Rath and the rest of the team contributed experimental and theoretical insights, demonstrating how changes in electric voltage could influence the acidity of the solution and guide the particles’ coordinated movements. The collaboration leveraged both Woehl’s expertise in chemical engineering and Albertus’s modeling work, ensuring a strong foundation for current findings and future advancements.
Scientists have studied active matter for years, but many existing systems either move too slowly or lack precise control over how long their structures remain intact. This new method combines chemical signals and electric fields, generating faster responses and offering a higher level of control. Researchers envision potential uses in adaptive coatings or smart materials that self-tune to ambient light, heat, or camouflage needs.
In that way, it’s more similar to a biological system, but what’s really happening in the background are chemical reactions telling these particles what to do,” said Woehl.
Although practical applications may still be some years away, several news sources—including an engineering-focused webcast—point out that this research is a step closer to materials that can autonomously reorganise. From “smart windows” that can adjust to changes in sunlight to surfaces that respond and adapt to nearby conditions, the possibilities are broad.
As more laboratories investigate active matter for use in high-tech systems, the field continues to expand. While some challenges remain—such as scaling up from small test beds to larger real-world applications—this research provides valuable evidence that self-organising particle systems can be harnessed for quick, controlled responses. The next phase, according to multiple commentators, could involve fine-tuning the cycles for specific functions and merging them with other emerging technologies in chemistry, materials science, and robotics.
Hassan graduated with a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Chester (UK). He currently works as a design engineering consultant for one of the largest engineering firms in the world along with being an associate member of the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).
