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Optimal motion of triangular magnetocapillary swimmers
Alexander Sukhov1, Sebastian Ziegler2, Qingguang Xie3
1Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (IEK-11), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Fürther Straße 248, 90429 Nürnberg, Germany.
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|October 3, 2019
Summary
This study numerically investigates magnetocapillary swimmers, revealing optimal magnetic field frequencies for controlled motion. Particle spacing affects speed, with larger distances reducing maximum velocity.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Soft matter physics
- Computational physics
Background:
- Magnetocapillary swimmers are microscale devices utilizing magnetic fields and fluid interfaces for propulsion.
- Understanding their motion is crucial for micro-robotics and targeted delivery applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To numerically investigate the controlled motion of magnetocapillary swimmers composed of ferromagnetic particles.
- To determine the relationship between magnetic field frequency and swimmer speed.
- To analyze the effect of interparticle distance on swimmer performance.
Main Methods:
- Hybrid numerical method combining pseudopotential lattice Boltzmann method and discrete element method.
- Simulation of equilibrium properties for single, two, and three particles at a liquid-liquid interface.
- Analysis of controlled motion for a three-particle swimmer under time-dependent magnetic fields.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated controlled motion of a three-particle magnetocapillary swimmer.
- Observed a sharp dependence of average center-of-mass speed on magnetic field frequency.
- Identified optimal frequencies related to particle relaxation time, with speed maxima.
- Found that increasing interparticle distance reduces maximum average speed.
Conclusions:
- The study provides insights into the dynamics of magnetocapillary swimmers.
- Optimal magnetic field frequencies are critical for efficient swimmer propulsion.
- Interparticle spacing is a key parameter influencing swimmer speed and performance.
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