Rotation-to-translation conversion by geometric asymmetry in viscoelastic fluids

Abstract

Microscale locomotion in Newtonian fluids is constrained by kinematic reversibility. Here we show that viscoelasticity provides a distinct route: an achiral fore-aft asymmetric body rotating in a viscoelastic fluid generates net translation through normal-stress-driven secondary flows. Direct numerical simulations combined with scaling analysis reveal the universal scaling law, $V\sim {\rm Wi}\cdot S$, where $\rm Wi$ is the Weissenberg number and $S$ is the skewness of the axial volume distribution. This result identifies a minimal geometric principle for rotation-induced propulsion in viscoelastic fluids, and suggests a route for active microrheology via propulsion-speed measurements.