Research on sedimentation characteristics of squirmer in a power-law fluid

Sedimentation characteristics of a squirmer in a power-law fluid within a vertical channel are studied numerically using the two-dimensional lattice Boltzmann method. The effects of swimming type (- 5 ≤ β ≤ 5), self-propelling strength (0.5 ≤ α ≤ 1.1), power-law indexes (0.5 ≤ n ≤ 1.5), and the density ratio of the squirmer to the fluid (γ = 1.01, 1.5 and 2.3) on the sedimentation of the squirmer are analyzed. Four settlement patterns are identified: steady falling in the center, downward along the wall, oscillating with large amplitude and oscillating around the centerline. The squirmer in the channel exhibits more fluctuations in shear-thinning (n < 1) and Newtonian (n = 1) fluids compared to shear-thickening fluids (n > 1). Additionally, a puller (β > 0) settles faster than a pusher (β < 0) in shear-thinning and Newtonian fluids. Puller generates flow towards their head and away from their tail, exhibiting small amplitude oscillations. Pushers exhibit higher amplitude oscillations throughout the channel, creating flow towards their tail and away from their head. At lower γ, the fluctuation of the squirmer is less pronounced compared to higher γ.