Swimming of microorganisms in viscous fluids is a complex problem involving many degrees of freedom. In order to gain insight to this problem we investigate resistive force theory as a model for thin undulating filaments at low Reynolds number. The filaments are thin and resistive force theory is used. We compare four major waveforms, which have one adjustable parameter; they are the square wave, sawtooth, Cartesian sine, and curvature sine. The main quantities of interest are the swimming speed and swimming efficiency.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Spoor, Tristan David

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042811-143649

Advisor

• Tilley, Burt S.
• Koehler, Stephan A.

Year

• 2011

Date created

• 2011-04-28

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mathematical Sciences
• Physics

Rights statement

• In Copyright