2007/11/28 by Ramin Golestanian, Armand Ajdari · 2 citations
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Biomimetic flight and propulsion mechanisms #Classical mechanics #Computer science #Deformation (meteorology) #Drag #Kinetic energy #Mechanics #Micro and Nano Robotics #Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence #Physics #Propulsion #Reynolds number #Space (punctuation) #Thermodynamics #cond-mat.soft #cond-mat.stat-mech
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.100.038101
published as Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 038101 (2008) · 4 pages, 3 figures; accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Lett
arxiv created 2007/11/28 · openalex publication_date 2008/01/22 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
A conformation space kinetic model is constructed to drive the deformation cycle of a three-sphere swimmer to achieve propulsion at low Reynolds number. We analyze the effect of an external load on the performance of this kinetic swimmer and show that it depends sensitively on where the force is exerted, so that there is no general force-velocity relation. We discuss how the conformational cycle of such swimmers should be designed to increase their performance in resisting forces applied at specific points.