Organizers:
Aparna Baskaran, Brandeis University
Ayusman Sen, Pennsylvania State University
Julien Tailleur, Université Paris Diderot

Active systems comprised of individual microscopic units and large assemblies convert energy, often drawn from the environment, to produce mechanical work. These driven, out-of-equilibrium, systems display rich behavior that differs strongly from the traditional equilibrium structures. Examples range from cell cytoskeletal dynamics and collective behavior in bacterial colonies to synthetic autonomous systems. The study of active systems is both a challenge to scientists attempting to elucidate a quantitative descriptive framework and an opportunity to understand the physical underpinning of biological systems. The past few years have witnessed an upsurge of studies at the crossroads of chemistry, biology, and physics. The aim of the Aspen Winter Conference is to bring together, through talks and focused discussions, researchers from these diverse disciplines to exchange viewpoints and chart a roadmap going forward that melds the different approaches to the study of this exciting area. The past few years have witnessed an upsurge of studies at the crossroads of chemistry, biology, and physics. The aim of the Aspen Winter Conference is to bring together, through talks and focused discussions, researchers from these diverse disciplines to exchange viewpoints and chart a roadmap going forward that melds the different approaches to the study of this exciting area.