Shape transition and propulsive force of an elastic rod rotating in a viscous fluid

Details Shape transition and propulsive force of an elastic rod rotating in a viscous fluid Shape transition and propulsive force of an elastic rod rotating in a viscous fluid

2007-12-03

arxiv.org/abs/0712.0326v1

PRL 100, 078101 (2008)

Physics

Condensed Matter

Soft Condensed Matter

4 pages, 5 figures

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.078101

The deformation of thin rods in a viscous liquid is central to the mechanics of motility in cells ranging from \textit{Escherichia coli} to sperm. Here we use experiments and theory to study the shape transition of a flexible rod rotating in a viscous fluid driven either by constant torque or at constant speed. The rod is tilted relative to the rotation axis. At low applied torque, the rod bends gently and generates small propulsive force. At a critical torque, the rotation speed increases abruptly and the rod forms a helical shape with much greater propulsive force. We find good agreement between theory and experiment.

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