Mohammad-Reza Alam — Page 2

arXiv2014

Versatile low-Reynolds-number swimmer with three-dimensional maneuverability

We design and simulate the motion of a new swimmer, the {\it Quadroar}, with three dimensional translation and reorientation capabilities in low Reynolds number conditions. The Quadroar is composed of an $\texttt{I}$-shaped frame whose body link is a simple linear actuator, and four disks that can rotate about the axes of flange links. The time symmetry is broken by a combination of disk rotations and the one-dimensional expansion/contraction of the body link. The Quadroar propels on forward and transverse straight lines and performs full three dimensional reorientation maneuvers, which enable it to swim along arbitrary trajectories. We find continuous operation modes that propel the swimmer on planar and three dimensional periodic and quasi-periodic orbits. Precessing quasi-periodic orbits consist of slow lingering phases with cardioid or multiloop turns followed by directional propulsive phases. Quasi-periodic orbits allow the swimmer to access large parts of its neighboring space without using complex control strategies. We also discuss the feasibility of fabricating a nano-scale Quadroar by photoactive molecular rotors.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2014

Asymmetric Flexural-gravity Lumps in Nonuniform Media

Here we show that asymmetric fully-localized flexural-gravity lumps can propagate on the surface of an inviscid and irrotational fluid covered by a variable-thickness elastic material, provided that the thickness varies only in one direction and has a local minimum. We derive and present equations governing the evolution of the envelope of flexural-gravity wave packets allowing the flexing material to have small variations in the transverse (to propagation) direction. We show that the governing equation belongs to the general family of Davey-Stewartson equations, but with an extra term in the surface evolution equation that accounts for the variable thickness of the elastic cover. We then use an iterative Newton-Raphson scheme, with a numerical continuation procedure via Lagrange interpolation, in a search to find fully-localized solutions of this system of equations. We show that if the elastic sheet thickness has (at least) a local minimum, flexural-gravity lumps can propagate near the minimum thickness, and in general have an asymmetric bell-shape in the transverse to the propagation direction. In applied physics, flexural-gravity waves describe for instance propagation of waves over the ice-covered bodies of water. Ice is seldom uniform, nor is the seafloor, and in fact near the boundaries (ice-edges, shorelines) they typically vary only in one direction (toward to edge), and are uniform in the transverse direction. This research suggests that fully localized waves are not restricted to constant ice-thickness/water-depth areas and can exist under much broader conditions. Presented results may have implications in experimental generation and observation of flexural-gravity (as well as capillary-gravity) lumps.

physics.flu-dyn↗