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Rheology of Entangled Active Polymer-Like T. Tubifex Worms.
A Deblais1, S Woutersen2, D Bonn1
1Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute, Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, 1098XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Physical Review Letters
|May 23, 2020
Summary
This study explores the rheology of living worms, finding their flow behavior resembles polymers but is uniquely modified by activity. Worm activity significantly alters shear thinning and viscosity, opening a new field of active soft matter research.
Area of Science:
- Soft Matter Physics
- Rheology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Entangled living worms (Tubifex Tubifex) exhibit polymer-like rheological properties.
- Worm activity, influenced by temperature and alcohol, can be modulated to study its effect on rheology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the rheology of entangled living worms.
- To understand how worm activity quantitatively impacts rheological behaviors like shear thinning and viscosity.
Main Methods:
- Classical rheology experiments were performed on Tubifex Tubifex.
- Worm activity was controlled via temperature and alcohol concentration.
Main Results:
- Worm rheology is qualitatively similar to synthetic polymers.
- Worm activity reduces shear thinning and alters the characteristic shear rate for its onset.
- Low shear viscosity scaling with concentration differs significantly from conventional polymers.
Conclusions:
- Active worm systems present unique rheological characteristics distinct from passive polymers.
- This research establishes a foundation for the new field of active polymer-like worm research.
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