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arXiv · 1504.05775

Flagellar swimmers oscillate between pusher- and puller-type swimming

Gary S. Klindt·Benjamin M. Friedrich
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Abstract

Self-propulsion of cellular microswimmers generates flow signatures, commonly classified as pusher- and puller-type, which characterize hydrodynamic interactions with other cells or boundaries. Using experimentally measured beat patterns, we compute that flagellated alga and sperm oscillate between pusher and puller. Beyond a typical distance of 100 um from the swimmer, inertia attenuates oscillatory micro-flows. We show that hydrodynamic interactions between swimmers oscillate in time and are of similar magnitude as stochastic swimming fluctuations.

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Gary S. Klindt, Benjamin M. Friedrich. 2015-04-22. Flagellar swimmers oscillate between pusher- and puller-type swimming. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.92.063019

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