Minimal model for synchronization induced by hydrodynamic interactions.
Motivated by the observed coordination of nearby beating cilia, we use a scale model experiment to show that hydrodynamic interactions can cause synchronization between rotating paddles driven at constant torque in a very viscous fluid. Synchronization is only observed when the shafts supporting the paddles have some flexibility. The phase difference in the synchronized state depends on the symmetry of the paddles. We use the method of regularized Stokeslets to model the paddles and find excellent agreement with the experimental observations. We also use a simple analytic theory based on far-field approximations to derive scaling laws for the synchronization time as a function of paddle separation.
Qian
Bian
B
Division of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
Jiang
Hongyuan
H
Gagnon
David A
DA
Breuer
Kenneth S
KS
Powers
Thomas R
TR
D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000502:physiology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D002923:Cilia / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005407:Flagella / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009991:Oscillometry / Q000379:methods*; D012212:Rheology / Q000379:methods*