Impact of viscoelastic ooze slime on complex wavy gliders near a solid boundary

Abstract

• Fluid mechanics of bacterial motion is discussed numerically. • Glider is approximated as a 2D complex wavy sheet. • To capture the viscoelastic properties of slime FENE-P fluid model is utilized. • The gliding motion is highly dependent on slime rheology and wave amplitudes. Prokaryote propulsion is bewilderingly diverse. Many bacteria swim through the fluid medium via rotating a long helical flagellum driven by a rotary motor, some possesses helical shaped bodies and use mechanochemical filaments. Rod-shaped Bacteria (present near the solid wall) practice another mechanism of locomotion, generally called gliding motility. It is hypothesized that rod-shaped bacteria propel it selves by producing waves in their body and leave an adhesive slime trail. Based on these observations, we use a mathematical model (of complex undulating sheet) to examine the gliding motility of bacteria on a layer of non-Newtonian slime. FENE-P fluid model is approximated as a layer of non-Newtonian slime. Navier-Stokes equation is simplified using the lubrication assumption which results in a second-order differential equation. The speed of organism, flow rate and energy loss at larger values of the involved parameters are simulated using a blended numerical technique. The streamlines pattern and velocity of the slime are also drawn for the realistic pairs of speed and flow rate and are thoroughly explained.