Transportation efficiency of hydrodynamically coupled spherical oscillators in low Reynolds number fluids

Abstract

Most bacteria are driven by the cilia or flagella, consisting of a long filament and a rotary molecular motor through a short flexible hook. The beating pattern of these filaments shows synchronization properties from hydrodynamic interactions, especially in low Reynolds number fluids. Here, we introduce a model based on simple spherical oscillators which execute oscillatory movements in one dimension by an active force, as a simplified imitation of the movements of cilia or flagella. It is demonstrated that the flow, measured by the net transportation of a test particle, is generated by a chain of oscillators and enhanced by the hydrodynamic interactions between beads, with supports from both perturbative and numerical results. Transportation efficiency also highly correlates with hydrodynamic interactions. Increments of bead numbers are generally expected to produce stronger flow and efficiency, at least for small numbers of beads.