Active particles in linear viscoelastic fluids and the scallop theorem

2020/09/17 by Gwynn J. Elfring, Eric Lauga, Elfring, Gwynn J. +1
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · Medicine · #Sports Dynamics and Biomechanics #Micro and Nano Robotics #Blood properties and coagulation

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2009.08514

Abstract

We derive a general formula for the inertialess dynamics of active particles in linear viscoelastic fluids by means of a modified reciprocal theorem. We then demonstrate that force-free active particles in Maxwell-like linear viscoelastic fluids with no retardation have exactly the same dynamics as in Newtonian fluids. In contrast, active particles in Jeffreys-like fluids with retardation can display markedly different dynamics, including net motion under reciprocal actuation thereby breaking the scallop theorem.

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