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  5. Three-dimensional pattern formation in suspensions of swimming micro-organisms

Three-dimensional pattern formation in suspensions of swimming micro-organisms

File(s)
APS_DFD09_mpeg1.mov (10.09 MB)
Low resolution video
APS_DFD09_mpeg2.mov (107.18 MB)
High resolution video
Permanent Link(s)
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/14118
Collections
Fluid Dynamics Videos
Author
Pahlavan, Amir Alizadeh
Saintillan, David
Abstract

Suspensions of self-propelled particles, such as swimming micro-organisms, are known to undergo complex dynamics as a result of hydrodynamic interactions. This fluid dynamics video presents a numerical simulation of such a suspension, based on a kinetic theory recently developed by Saintillan and Shelley (Physics of Fluids, 20, 123304, 2008). Starting from a nearly uniform and isotropic initial distribution, our simulations show the formation of strong density fluctuations, which merge and break up in time in a quasiperiodic fashion. These fluctuations are found to occur on the size of the simulation box, in agreement with a prediction from a linear stability analysis. In addition, the dynamics are characterized by complex chaotic flow fields, which result in efficient fluid mixing.

Date Issued
2009-10-19T04:08:38Z
Keywords
swimming
•
micro-organisms
•
instabilities
•
pattern formation
Type
video/moving image

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