Abstract
The orientational order and dynamics in suspensions of self-locomoting slender rods are investigated numerically. In agreement with previous theoretical predictions, nematic suspensions of swimming particles are found to be unstable at long wavelengths as a result of hydrodynamic fluctuations. Nevertheless, a local nematic ordering is shown to persist over short length scales and to have a significant impact on the mean swimming speed. The consequences of the large-scale orientational disorder for particle dispersion are also discussed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 058102 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 99 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 30 2007 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Physics and Astronomy