Scaling Laws for Passive Polymer Dynamics in Active Turbulence

Biological systems commonly combine intrinsically out-of-equilibrium active components with passive polymeric inclusions to produce unique material properties. To explore these composite systems, idealized models—such as polymers in active fluids—are essential to develop a predictive theoretical framework. We simulate a single, freely jointed passive chain in two-dimensional active turbulence. Active flows advect the polymer, producing a substantially enhanced diffusivity. Our results reveal that the dimensionless diffusivity obeys scaling laws governed by the Péclet, Weissenberg, and Ericksen numbers, which paves the way for designing active/polymeric hybrid materials with predictable properties that differ significantly from those of nondeformable inclusions.