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arXiv · 0705.2669

Motion-reversal in a simple microscopic swimmer

A. Alexander-Katz
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Abstract

We study the motion of a microscopic swimmer composed of a semiflexible polymer anchored at the surface of a magnetic sphere using hydrodynamic simulations and scaling arguments. The swimmer is driven by a rotating magnetic field, and displays forward and backward motion depending on the value of the rotational frequency. In particular, the system exhibits forward thrust for frequencies below a critical frequency $ω^*$, while above $ω^*$ the motion is reversed.

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A. Alexander-Katz. 2007-05-18. Motion-reversal in a simple microscopic swimmer. https://arxiv.org/abs/0705.2669

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