Abstract
We discuss the locomotion of a three-sphere microswimmer in a viscoelastic medium and propose a new type of active microrheology. We derive a relation that connects the average swimming velocity and the frequency-dependent viscosity of the surrounding medium. In this relation, the viscous contribution can exist only when the time-reversal symmetry is broken, whereas the elastic contribution is present only when the structural symmetry of the swimmer is broken. Purcell's scallop theorem breaks down for a three-sphere swimmer in a viscoelastic medium.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 043801 |
| Journal | journal of the physical society of japan |
| Volume | 86 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 15 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Physics and Astronomy
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Swimmer-microrheology'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Cite this
- APA
- Standard
- Harvard
- Vancouver
- Author
- BIBTEX
- RIS