2005/12/31 by Andrej Vilfan, Frank Jülicher, Frank Julicher · 10 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Characterization and Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles #Micro and Nano Robotics #Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies #physics.bio-ph #q-bio.CB
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.96.058102
published as Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 058102 (2006) · 5 pages, 4 figures, v2: minor corrections
openalex publication_date 2006/02/06 · arxiv created 2006/05/23 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We calculate the hydrodynamic flow field generated far from a cilium which is attached to a surface and beats periodically. In the case of two beating cilia, hydrodynamic interactions can lead to synchronization of the cilia, which are nonlinear oscillators. We present a state diagram where synchronized states occur as a function of the distance of cilia and the relative orientation of their beat. Synchronized states occur with different relative phases. In addition, asynchronous solutions exist. Our work could be relevant for the synchronized motion of cilia generating hydrodynamic flows on the surface of cells.