Hydrodynamics Defines the Stable Swimming Direction of Spherical Squirmers in a Nematic Liquid Crystal
Idioma
en
Article de revue
Este ítem está publicado en
Physical Review Letters. 2017-08-11, vol. 119, n° 6, p. 068001 (1-6)
American Physical Society
Resumen en inglés
We present a study of the hydrodynamics of an active particle, a model squirmer, in an envi- ronment with a broken rotational symmetry: a nematic liquid crystal. By combining simulations with analytic calculations, we show ...Leer más >
We present a study of the hydrodynamics of an active particle, a model squirmer, in an envi- ronment with a broken rotational symmetry: a nematic liquid crystal. By combining simulations with analytic calculations, we show that the hydrodynamic coupling between the squirmer flow field and liquid crystalline director can lead to re-orientation of the swimmers. The preferred orientation depends on the exact details of the squirmer flow field. In a steady state, pushers are shown to swim parallel with the nematic director while pullers swim perpendicular to the nematic director. This behaviour arises solely from hydrodynamic coupling between the squirmer flow field and anisotropic viscosities of the host fluid. Our results suggest that an anisotropic swimming medium can be used to characterise and guide spherical microswimmers in the bulk.< Leer menos
Proyecto ANR
Effets thermoélectriques à l'échelle nano - ANR-13-IS04-0003
Initiative d'excellence de l'Université de Bordeaux - ANR-10-IDEX-0003
Initiative d'excellence de l'Université de Bordeaux - ANR-10-IDEX-0003
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