A numerical method for the locomotion of bi-flagellated bacteria in viscous fluid

Flagellated bacteria propel themselves by rotating flexible flagella driven independent motors. Depending on the rotation direction of motors and handedness helical filaments, either pull or push cell body. Motivated experimental observations Magnetococcus marinus , we develop an elastohydrodynamic model to study locomotion a bi-flagellated bacterium with one puller flagellum pusher flagellum. In this model, boundary integral technique Kirchhoff rod are employed respectively calculate hydrodynamic forces swimmer elastic deformations flagella. Our numerical results demonstrate that travels along double trajectory, which is consistent observations. Varying stiffness, orientations positions significantly changes swimming characteristics. Notably, when applied torque higher than critical value stiffness lower exhibits overwhirling motion, resulting in more complicated style speed. For moderate speed insensitive rest configuration orientation over wide range angles as deform maintain alignment direction.