Two-way Coupling of Fluid--Structure Interaction for Elastic Magneto-Swimmers:A Finite Element ALE Approach

TL;DR

This paper introduces a finite element simulation framework for elastic magneto-swimmers, capturing complex fluid-structure interactions to aid in biomedical micro-robot design and control.

Contribution

It presents a novel full-order finite element model using ALE formulation for simulating deformable micro-swimmers in confined fluids.

Findings

Accurately predicts swimmer behavior matching experimental data.

Demonstrates robustness and efficiency in 2D and 3D simulations.

Provides a foundation for digital twin development of magneto-swimmers.

Abstract

Artificial micro-swimmers actuated by external magnetic fields hold significant promise for targeted biomedical applications, including drug delivery and micro-robot-assisted therapy. However, their dynamics remain challenging to control due to the complex nonlinear coupling between magnetic actuation, elastic deformations, and fluid interactions in confined biological environments. Numerical modeling is therefore essential to better understand, predict, and optimize their behavior for practical applications. In this work, we present a comprehensive finite element framework based on the Arbitrary Lagrangian--Eulerian formulation to simulate deformable elastic micro-swimmers in confined fluid domains. The method employs a full-order model that resolves the complete fluid dynamics while simultaneously tracking swimmer deformation and global displacement on conforming meshes. Numerical experiments are performed with the open-source finite element library Feel++, demonstrating excellent agreement with experimental data from the literature. The validation benchmarks in both two and three dimensions confirm the accuracy, robustness, and computational efficiency of the proposed framework, representing a foundational step toward developing digital twins of magneto-swimmers for biomedical applications.