Instabilities and pattern formation in active particle suspensions: Kinetic theory and continuum simulations

David Saintillan, Michael J. Shelley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We use kinetic theory and nonlinear continuum simulations to study the collective dynamics in suspensions of self-propelled particles. The stability of aligned suspensions is first analyzed, and we demonstrate that such suspensions are always unstable to fluctuations, a result that generalizes previous predictions by Simha and Ramaswamy. Isotropic suspensions are also considered, and it is shown that an instability for the particle stress occurs in that case. Using simulations, nonlinear effects are investigated, and the long-time behavior of the suspensions is observed to be characterized by the formation of strong density fluctuations, resulting in efficient fluid mixing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number178103
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume100
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 29 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Instabilities and pattern formation in active particle suspensions: Kinetic theory and continuum simulations'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this