Biological Fluid Mechanics Under the Microscope: A Tribute to John Blake

TL;DR

This paper reviews John Blake's significant contributions to biological fluid mechanics, highlighting models, methods, and physiological applications that advanced understanding of microscale fluid dynamics in biological systems.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of Blake's pioneering work in biological fluid mechanics and personal insights from his mentees, emphasizing his influence and key research topics.

Findings

Development of squirmer models for protozoa

Introduction of the 'blakelet' solution in Stokes flow

Advancements in modeling cilia and microorganism feeding

Abstract

John Blake (1947--2016) was a leader in fluid mechanics, his two principal areas of expertise being biological fluid mechanics on microscopic scales and bubble dynamics. He produced leading research and mentored others in both Australia, his home country, and the UK, his adopted home. This article reviews John Blake's contributions in biological fluid mechanics, as well as giving the author's personal viewpoint as one of the many graduate students and researchers who benefitted from his supervision, guidance and inspiration. The key topics from biological mechanics discussed are: `squirmer' models of protozoa, the method of images in Stokes flow and the `blakelet' solution, discrete cilia modelling via slender body theory, physiological flows in respiration and reproduction, blinking stokeslets in microorganism feeding, human sperm motility, and embryonic nodal cilia.