title: Driven microswimmers on a 2D substrate: A stochastic towed sled model.
abstract: We investigate, both numerically and analytically, the diffusion properties of a stochastic sled sliding on a substrate, subject to a constant towing force. The problem is motivated by the growing interest in controlling transport of artificial microswimmers in 2D geometries at low Reynolds numbers. We simulated both symmetric and asymmetric towed sleds. Remarkable properties of their mobilities and diffusion constants include sidewise drifts and excess diffusion peaks. We interpret our numerical findings by making use of stochastic approximation techniques.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Camerino, I-62032 Camerino, Italy.
authors.forename: Giampiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marchegiani
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Camerino, I-62032 Camerino, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marchesoni