Fluid flow due to collective non-reciprocal motion of symmetrically-beating artificial cilia.

ABSTRACT: Using a magneto-mechanical solid-fluid numerical model for permanently magnetic artificial cilia, we show that the metachronal motion of symmetrically beating cilia establishes a net pressure gradient in the direction of the metachronal wave, which creates a unidirectional flow. The flow generated is characterised as a function of the cilia spacing, the length of the metachronal wave, and a dimensionless parameter that characterises the relative importance of the viscous forces over the elastic forces in the cilia.

SUBMITTER: Khaderi SN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3365344 | biostudies-other | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other