Regensburg 2013 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 22: Biomechanics (joint focus session with jDPG)

BP 22.3: Talk

Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 16:00–16:15, H6

Flagellar synchronization independent of hydrodynamic interactions — •Benjamin Friedrich and Frank Jülicher — Max-Planck-Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany

Inspired by the coordinated beating of the flagellar pair of the green algae Chlamydomonas, we study theoretically a simple, mirror-symmetric swimmer, which propels itself at low Reynolds number by a revolving motion of a pair of spheres [1]. We show that perfect synchronization between these two driven spheres can result from the motion of the swimmer, which feeds back on the two spheres by local hydrodynamic friction forces. Hydrodynamic interactions, though crucial for net propulsion, contribute little to synchronization for this free moving swimmer. The swimmer design for optimal synchronization reflects a trade-off between the swimmer’s ability to move and the premise of broken symmetries required for synchronization. This simple swimmer exemplifies a novel paradigm for hydrodynamic synchronization that could explain flagellar synchronization in Chlamydomonas.

[1] B.M. Friedrich, F. Jülicher: Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 138102(2012).