Dynamics of a helical swimmer crossing an interface between two immiscible fluids
Por:
Gonzalez-Gutierrez, Jorge, Osorio-Ramirez, Salvador, Solorio-Ordaz, Francisco J., Zenit, Roberto
Publicada:
9 ago 2019
Resumen:
In this study, we experimentally investigate the mechanical process of a
self-propelled helical swimmer to move across an interface between two
immiscible fluids. This configuration is aimed to emulate some aspects
of the process used by bacteria to trespass mucus layers or epithelial
cell membranes to cause infections. We consider two configurations:
head-first and tail-first. We find that, in both cases, the head of the
swimmer deforms the interface generating a meniscus that induces a
significant reduction of the swimming speed, that lasts until the
interface is pierced. In both cases, the dynamics of penetration is
complex leading to significant variations of the swimming speed during
the process. We observed interesting differences in the penetration
dynamics for the two cases; we argue that the differences arise from the
significantly different shape and direction of the menisci that forms
during the penetration process. A model that accounts for thrust, drag,
buoyant, and capillary forces is used to rationalize the results.
Filiaciones:
Gonzalez-Gutierrez, Jorge:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Fac Ingn, Dept Termofuidos, Ave Univ 3000, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Invest Mat, Ave Univ 3000, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
Osorio-Ramirez, Salvador:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Invest Mat, Ave Univ 3000, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
Solorio-Ordaz, Francisco J.:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Fac Ingn, Dept Termofuidos, Ave Univ 3000, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
Zenit, Roberto:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Invest Mat, Ave Univ 3000, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
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