Direct numerical simulations of a microswimmer in a viscoelastic fluid

Kobayashi, Takuya; Jung, Gerhard; Matsuoka, Yuki; Nakayama, Yasuya; Molina, John J.; Yamamoto, Ryoichi

doi:10.1039/d3sm00600j

Soft Matter

2023

DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00600j

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Direct numerical simulations of a microswimmer in a viscoelastic fluid

Takuya Kobayashi,

Gerhard Jung,

Yuki Matsuoka

et al.

Abstract: We extend the SP method to study the dynamics of squirming and swirling particles in viscoelastic fluids, in order to elucidate the mechanism behind their swimming speed enhancement.

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2024

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Cited by 2 publications

References 43 publications

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Steady motions of single spherical microswimmers in non-Newtonian fluids

Kobayashi,

Yamamoto

2024

Physics of Fluids

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In biological systems, microswimmers often propel themselves through complex media. However, many aspects of swimming mechanisms in non-Newtonian fluids remain unclear. This study considers the propulsion of two types of single spherical microswimmers (squirmers) in shear-thickening and shear-thinning fluids. The slip-driven squirmer propels faster/slower in shear-thickening/thinning fluids than in Newtonian fluids [C. Datt et al., J. Fluid Mech. 784, R1 (2015)]. In contrast, we discovered that a traction-driven squirmer exhibits the opposite trend, moving slower/faster in shear-thickening/thinning fluids than in Newtonian fluids. In addition, we have shown theoretically that Purcell's scallop theorem does not hold in non-Newtonian fluids when a squirmer with reciprocal surface motions is used. The present findings open up possibilities for the design of new types of microswimmers that can achieve translational motion from a single reciprocal motion in non-Newtonian fluids. Furthermore, we demonstrated that traction-driven squirmers swim faster and more efficiently in shear-thinning fluids than in Newtonian fluids. These findings highlight how the non-Newtonian rheology enhances both swimming speed and efficiency, suggesting further potential for optimizing locomotion performance otherwise impossible in Newtonian fluids.

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Steady motions of single spherical microswimmers in non-Newtonian fluids

Kobayashi,

Yamamoto

2024

Physics of Fluids

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Propulsion of a chiral swimmer in viscoelastic fluids

Kobayashi,

Molina,

Yamamoto

2024

Phys. Rev. Research

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Microswimmers often use chirality to generate translational movement from rotation motion, exhibiting distinct behaviors in complex fluids compared to simple Newtonian fluids. However, the underlying mechanism remains incompletely understood. In this study, we elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying the distinct behaviors of microswimmers in Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. We show that the enhanced speed of chiral swimmers is attributed to the Weissenberg effect induced by normal stress differences resulting from chiral flows. Additionally, we identify swimmer-specific normal stress differences in a viscoelastic fluid and demonstrate that swimming speed varies depending on whether the swimmer acts as a pusher or a puller. Moreover, we investigate the hydrodynamic interactions between a pair of chiral squirmers. When the squirmers are aligned parallel (perpendicular) to their swimming axis, they tend to separate (approach). These findings deepen our comprehension of the rheological properties of viscoelastic fluids containing microswimmers, promising advancements in various applications. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

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Direct numerical simulations of a microswimmer in a viscoelastic fluid

Abstract: We extend the SP method to study the dynamics of squirming and swirling particles in viscoelastic fluids, in order to elucidate the mechanism behind their swimming speed enhancement.

Cited by 2 publications

References 43 publications

Steady motions of single spherical microswimmers in non-Newtonian fluids

Steady motions of single spherical microswimmers in non-Newtonian fluids

Propulsion of a chiral swimmer in viscoelastic fluids

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