Stresslets induced by active swimmers

TL;DR

This paper introduces a general method using the reciprocal theorem of Stokes flows to compute stresslets of active particles with arbitrary geometry, enabling better control of artificial swimmer behavior.

Contribution

A novel theoretical framework for calculating stresslets of active particles of arbitrary shape using surface velocity integrals based on the reciprocal theorem.

Findings

Method applicable to spheroidal chemically-active particles

Enables tuning of artificial swimmer stresslets

Facilitates control of collective dynamics in complex environments

Abstract

Active particles disturb the fluid around them as force dipoles, or stresslets, which govern their collective dynamics. Unlike swimming speeds, the stresslets of active particles are rarely determined due to the lack of a suitable theoretical framework for arbitrary geometry. We propose a general method, based on the reciprocal theorem of Stokes flows, to compute stresslets as integrals of the velocities on the particle's surface, which we illustrate for spheroidal chemically-active particles. Our method will allow tuning the stresslet of artificial swimmers and tailoring their collective motion in complex environments.