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arXiv · 1505.07988

The dynamics of a self-phoretic Janus swimmer near a wall

Yahaya Ibrahim·Tanniemola B. Liverpool
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Abstract

We study the effect of a nearby planar wall on the propulsion of a phoretic Janus micro-swimmer driven by asymmetric reactions on its surface which absorb reactants and generate products. We show that the behaviour of these swimmers near a wall can be classified ${\bf based \ on \ whether}$ the swimmers are ${\bf mainly}$ absorbing or producing reaction solutes ${\bf and \ whether}$ their swimming directions are such that the inert or active face is at the front. We find that the wall-induced solute gradients always promote swimmer propulsion along the wall while the effect of hydrodynamics leads to re-orientation of the swimming direction away from the wall.

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Yahaya Ibrahim, Tanniemola B. Liverpool. 2015-05-29. The dynamics of a self-phoretic Janus swimmer near a wall. https://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075%2F111%2F48008

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