In equilibrium, disorder conspires with topological defects to redefine the ordered states of matter in systems as diverse as crystals, superconductors, and liquid crystals. Far from equilibrium, however, the consequences of quenched disorder on active condensed matter remain virtually uncharted. Here, we reveal a state of strongly disordered active matter with no counterparts in equilibrium: a dynamical vortex glass. Combining microfluidic experiments and theory, we show how colloidal flocks collectively cruise through disordered environments without relaxing the topological singularities of their flows. The resulting state is highly dynamical but the flow patterns, shaped by a finite density of frozen vortices, are stationary and exponentially degenerated. Quenched isotropic disorder acts as a random gauge field turning active liquids into dynamical vortex glasses. We argue that this robust mechanism should shape the collective dynamics of a broad class of disordered active matter, from synthetic active nematics to collections of living cells exploring heterogeneous media.

在平衡状态下，无序与拓扑缺陷合谋重新定义物质在晶体、超导体和液晶等多种多样的系统中的有序状态。然而，离平衡很远，猝灭无序对活性凝聚态物质的影响实际上仍然未知。在这里，我们揭示了一种高度无序的活性物质，在平衡中没有对应物：动态涡流玻璃。结合微流体实验和理论，我们展示了胶体群如何在无序环境中集体巡航，而不会放松其流动的拓扑奇点。由此产生的状态是高度动态的，但由有限密度的冻结涡流形成的流动模式是静止的并且呈指数退化。淬火各向同性无序充当将活性液体转变为动态涡流玻璃的随机规范场。我们认为，这种强大的机制应该塑造一大类无序活性物质的集体动力学，从合成活性向列到探索异质介质的活细胞集合。