Metachronal coordination as a mesoscale phenomenon

Ziegler, Sebastian; Delens, Megan; Collard, Ylona; Hubert, Maxime; Vandewalle, Nicolas; Smith, Ana-Sunčana (2025) Metachronal coordination as a mesoscale phenomenon. Physics of Fluids, 37 (12). ISSN 1070-6631

PDF - Accepted Version - article Download (5MB)

Abstract

Metachronal coordination is a highly efficient natural strategy for swimming across scales, yet mimetic systems replicating this form of propulsion remain rare, limiting our ability to explore its underlying physics. Here, we investigate a minimal magneto-capillary system consisting of seven beads that exhibit metachronal-like motion when actuated by either a rotating or Lissajous-type oscillating magnetic field, resulting in net rotation or translation of the assembly, respectively. By systematically varying the driving frequency, we identify two distinct swimming regimes, both experimentally and theoretically. At low frequencies and negligible Reynolds numbers, propulsion arises from individual bead rotations phase-locked to the external field, constituting a linear, quasi-static regime. At higher frequencies, where the Reynolds number of the appendages exceeds unity, the dynamics transition to a deformation-dominated metachronal regime. Notably, optimized propulsion emerges near a mechanical resonance, underscoring the increasing role of inertia. While demonstrated on a specific design, we hypothesize that the existence of these regimes and the crossover between them may be a general feature of mesoscopic swimmers in nature.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	“The following article has been accepted by Physics of Fluids. The published version can be found at: https://pubs.aip.org/aip/pof/article/37/12/121917/3375493/Metachronal-coordination-as-a-mesoscale-phenomenon
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Structural vibrations; Frequency measurement; Magnetic fields; Capillary flows; Viscosity; Algae; Cell movement
Subjects:	NATURAL SCIENCES > Physics
Divisions:	Division of Physical Chemistry
Depositing User:	Dorijan Vulić
Date Deposited:	30 Jan 2026 12:15
URI:	http://fulir.irb.hr/id/eprint/11200
DOI:	10.1063/5.0302427

Actions (login required)

View Item