Low Reynolds Number Swimming Near Interfaces in Multi-Fluid Media

Abstract

Microorganisms often swim within heterogeneous fluid media composed of multiple materials with very different properties. The swimming speed is greatly affected by the composition and rheology of the fluidic environment. In addition, biological locomotions are also strongly influenced by the presence of phase boundaries and free interfaces, across which physical properties of the fluid media may vary significantly. Using a two-fluid immersed boundary method, we investigate the classical Taylor’s swimming sheet problem near interfaces within multi-fluid media. The accuracy of the methodology is illustrated through comparisons with analytical solutions. Our simulation results indicate that the interface dynamics and phase separation in the multi-fluid mixture are closely coupled with the movement of the swimmer. Depending on the interface location, the frictional coefficient, and the multi-fluid composition, the swimmer can move faster or slower than that in a single phase fluid.