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Two-dimensional study on the motion and interactions of squirmers under gravity in a vertical channel

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2023

Deming Nie Open the ORCID record for Deming Nie [Opens in a new window] ,
Yuxiang Ying ,
Geng Guan ,
Jianzhong Lin Open the ORCID record for Jianzhong Lin [Opens in a new window]  and
Zhenyu Ouyang Open the ORCID record for Zhenyu Ouyang [Opens in a new window]
Deming Nie
Affiliation:
Institute of Fluid Mechanics, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, PR China
Yuxiang Ying
Affiliation:
Institute of Fluid Mechanics, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, PR China
Geng Guan
Affiliation:
Institute of Fluid Mechanics, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, PR China
Jianzhong Lin*
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Impact and Safety Engineering (Ningbo University), Ministry of Education, Ningbo 315201, PR China Institute of Fluid Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, PR China
Zhenyu Ouyang
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Impact and Safety Engineering (Ningbo University), Ministry of Education, Ningbo 315201, PR China
*
† Email address for correspondence: mecjzlin@public.zju.edu.cn
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Abstract

We simulated the motions and interactions of circular squirmers under gravity in a two-dimensional channel at finite fluid inertia, aiming to provide a comprehensive analysis of the dynamic features of swimming microorganisms or engineered microswimmers. In addition to a squirmer-type factor (β), another control parameter (α) was introduced, representing ratio of the self-propelling strength to the sedimentation strength of squirmers. Simulations were performed at 0.4 ≤ α ≤ 1.2 and −5 ≤ β ≤ 5. We first considered the sedimentation of a single squirmer. Five patterns were revealed, depending on both α and β: steady downward falling, steady inclined falling or rising and small-scale or large-scale oscillating. Compared with a pusher (β < 0, gaining thrust from rear), a puller (β > 0, gaining thrust from front) is more likely to break down its symmetrical structure and subsequently lose stability, owing to the high-pressure regions on its lateral sides. Typically, a pusher settles faster than a puller, whereas a neutral squirmer (β = 0) settles in between. This is related to the ‘trailing negative flow’ behind a pusher and ‘leading negative flow’ before a puller. We then placed two squirmers in line with the gravity direction to study their interactions. Results show pullers attract each other and come into contact as a result of the low-pressure regions between them, whereas the opposite is observed for pushers. The interactions between two pullers are illustrated by their respective patterns. In contrast, pushers never come into contact and maintain distance from each other with increasing separation. We finally examined how a puller interacts with a pusher.

JFM classification

Biological Fluid Dynamics: Micro-organism dynamics Complex Fluids: Suspensions
Type
JFM Papers
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 960 , 10 April 2023 , A31
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

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