Minimal model for synchronization induced by hydrodynamic interactions

Synchronization of rotating helices by hydrodynamic interactions.

Some types of bacteria use rotating helical flagella to swim. The motion of such organisms takes place in the regime of low Reynolds numbers where viscous effects dominate and where the dynamics is governed by hydrodynamic interactions. Typically, rotating flagella form bundles, which means that their rotation is synchronized. The aim of this study is to investigate whether hydrodynamic interac...

Flagellar synchronization independent of hydrodynamic interactions.

Inspired by the coordinated beating of the flagellar pair of the green algae Chlamydomonas, we study theoretically a simple, mirror-symmetric swimmer, which propels itself at low Reynolds number by a revolving motion of a pair of spheres. We show that perfect synchronization between these two driven spheres can occur due to the motion of the swimmer and local hydrodynamic friction forces. Hydro...

Flagellar synchronization through direct hydrodynamic interactions

Flows generated by ensembles of flagella are crucial to development, motility and sensing, but the mechanisms behind this striking coordination remain unclear. We present novel experiments in which two micropipette-held somatic cells of Volvox carteri, with distinct intrinsic beating frequencies, are studied by high-speed imaging as a function of their separation and orientation. Analysis of ti...

Generic conditions for hydrodynamic synchronization.

Synchronization of actively oscillating organelles such as cilia and flagella facilitates self-propulsion of cells and pumping fluid in low Reynolds number environments. To understand the key mechanism behind synchronization induced by hydrodynamic interaction, we study a model of rigid-body rotors making fixed trajectories of arbitrary shape under driving forces that are arbitrary functions of...

Hydrodynamic interactions of sheets vs filaments: Synchronization, attraction, and alignment