Abstract
Both natural and artificial small-scale swimmers may often self-propel in environments subject to complex geometrical constraints. While most past theoretical work on low-Reynolds number locomotion addressed idealised geometrical situations, not much is known on the motion of swimmers in heterogeneous environments. As a first theoretical model, we investigate numerically the behaviour of a single spherical micro-swimmer located in an infinite, periodic body-centred cubic lattice consisting of rigid inert spheres of the same size as the swimmer. Running a large number of simulations we uncover the phase diagram of possible trajectories as a function of the strength of the swimming actuation and the packing density of the lattice. We then use hydrodynamic theory to rationalise our computational results and show in particular how the far-field nature of the swimmer (pusher versus puller) governs even the behaviour at high volume fractions.
Highlights
Swimming microorganisms live in a variety of natural and industrial environments, including the ocean, soil, intestinal tract and bioreactors, and they play diverse and important roles in environmental, agricultural and health issues [1,2,3]
Work investigated run and tumble motions of individual Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria and showed that the motion of the cells could be described by random walk models with the entire population displaying diffusive behaviour [6]
We focus on the case e = xand quantify the role of hydrodynamic interactions on the motion of the sphere
Summary
While most past theoretical work on low-Reynolds number this work must maintain attribution to the locomotion addressed idealised geometrical situations, not much is known on the motion of author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation swimmers in heterogeneous environments. Behaviour of a single spherical micro-swimmer located in an infinite, periodic body-centred cubic lattice consisting of rigid inert spheres of the same size as the swimmer. Running a large number of simulations we uncover the phase diagram of possible trajectories as a function of the strength of the swimming actuation and the packing density of the lattice. We use hydrodynamic theory to rationalise our computational results and show in particular how the far-field nature of the swimmer (pusher versus puller) governs even the behaviour at high volume fractions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
