Simple swimmer at low Reynolds number: three linked spheres.
We propose a very simple one-dimensional swimmer consisting of three spheres that are linked by rigid rods whose lengths can change between two values. With a periodic motion in a nonreciprocal fashion, which breaks the time-reversal symmetry as well as the translational symmetry, we show that the model device can swim at low Reynolds number. This model system could be used in constructing molecular-sized machines.
Najafi
Ali
A
Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences, Zanjan 45195-159, Iran and Max-Planck Institut für Physik Komplexer Systeme, Nöthnitzerstrasse 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany.
Golestanian
Ramin
R
D000818:Animals; D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*
D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins