For more information about this meeting, contact Becky Halpenny.
| Title: | "A force dipole model for semidilute bacterial suspensions" |
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| Seminar: | Ph.D. Oral Comprehensive Examination |
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| Speaker: | Shawn Ryan, Adviser: Leonid Berlyand |
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| Abstract Link: | http:// |
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| Abstract: |
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| We present results on suspensions of self-propelled bacteria where hydrodynamic
interactions between particles are taken into account. Bacteria are modeled as point force dipoles subject to two types of interactions: hydrodynamic interactions and excluded volume type interactions introduced through the use of the Lennard-Jones potential. The alignment of asymmetrical particles and the presence of self-propulsion gives rise to a drastic reduction in the effective viscosity of the suspension. An explicit asymptotic formula for the effective viscosity in terms of known physical parameters is derived using a kinetic approach. This model allows for numerical simulations of a large number of particles, which are in agreement with the analytical results and experiment through a full range of concentrations. Current work involves understanding the onset of collective motion in the above model by investigation of the correlation of bacterial velocities and orientations as a function of the interparticle distance. This work is part of a doctoral thesis under the direction of Professor Leonid Berlyand. |
Room Reservation Information
| Room Number: | 203 EE West |
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| Date: | 01 / 10 / 2012 |
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| Time: | 11:00am - 01:00pm |
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