Hydrodynamic Behavior of Self-Propelled Particles in a Simple Shear Flow

Abstract

The hydrodynamic properties of a squirmer type of self-propelled particle in a simple shear flow are investigated using the immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method in the range of swimming Reynolds number 0.05 ≤ Res ≤ 2.0, flow Reynolds number 40 ≤ Rep ≤ 160, blocking rate 0.2 ≤ κ ≤ 0.5. Some results are validated by comparing with available other results. The effects of Res, Rep and κ on the hydrodynamic properties of squirmer are discussed. The results show that there exist four distinct motion modes for the squirmer, i.e., horizontal mode, attractive oscillation mode, oscillation mode, and chaotic mode. Increasing Res causes the motion mode of the squirmer to change from a constant tumbling near the centerline to a stable horizontal mode, even an oscillatory or appealing oscillatory mode near the wall. Increasing the swimming intensity of squirmer under the definite Res will induce the squirmer to make periodic and stable motion at a specific distance from the wall. Increasing Rep will cause the squirmer to change from a stable swimming state to a spiral motion or continuous rotation. Increasing κ will strengthen the wall’s attraction to the squirmer. Increasing swimming intensity of squirmer will modify the strength and direction of the wall’s attraction to the squirmer if κ remains constant.

Keywords

• self-propelled particles
• hydrodynamic properties
• simple shear flow
• immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method