Optimal swimming at low Reynolds numbers

Phys Rev Lett. 2004 Oct 29;93(18):186001. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.93.186001. Epub 2004 Oct 28.

Abstract

Efficient swimming at low Reynolds numbers is a major concern of microbots. To compare the efficiencies of different swimmers we introduce the notion of "a swimming drag coefficient" which allows for the ranking of swimmers. We find the optimal swimmer within a certain class of two-dimensional swimmers using conformal mapping techniques.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amoeba
  • Animals
  • Biomimetic Materials
  • Locomotion
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Robotics
  • Swimming*