The Performance of Discrete Models of Low Reynolds Number Swimmers

TL;DR

This paper compares the efficiency of three simple low Reynolds number swimmer models based on linked spheres changing their shape, to understand biological swimming and inform design of artificial microswimmers.

Contribution

It introduces a comparative analysis of three discrete sphere models with different shape change modes for low Reynolds number swimming.

Findings

Model efficiencies vary with shape change modes

Linked sphere models provide insights into microorganism swimming

Design implications for artificial microswimmers

Abstract

Swimming by shape changes at low Reynolds number is widely used in biology and understanding how the efficiency of movement depends on the geometric pattern of shape changes is important to understand swimming of microorganisms and in designing low Reynolds number swimming models. The simplest models of shape changes are those that comprise a series of linked spheres that can change their separation and/or their size. Herein we compare the efficiency of three models in which these modes are used in different ways.