Issue 36, 2017

Modeling of active swimmer suspensions and their interactions with the environment

Abstract

In this article, we review mathematical models used to study the behaviour of suspensions of micro-swimmers and the accompanying biophysical phenomena, with specific focus on stimulus response. The methods discussed encompass a range of interactions exhibited by the micro-swimmers; including passive hydrodynamic (gyrotaxis) and gravitational (gravitaxis) effects, and active responses to chemical cues (chemotaxis) and light intensities (phototaxis). We introduce the simplest models first, and then build towards more sophisticated recent developments, in the process, identifying the limitations of the former and the new results obtained by the latter. We comment on the accuracy/validity of the models adopted, based on the agreement between theoretical results and experimental observations. We conclude by identifying some of the open problems and associated challenges faced by researchers in the realm of active suspensions.

Graphical abstract: Modeling of active swimmer suspensions and their interactions with the environment

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
18 Apr 2017
Accepted
29 Aug 2017
First published
08 Sep 2017

Soft Matter, 2017,13, 6033-6050

Modeling of active swimmer suspensions and their interactions with the environment

N. Desai and A. M. Ardekani, Soft Matter, 2017, 13, 6033 DOI: 10.1039/C7SM00766C

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