Abstract
The dynamic behavior of a self-propelled semiflexible filament of length L is considered under
the action of an external unbounded shear flow. The system is studied by using Brownian
multi-particle collision dynamics. The system can be characterized in terms of the persistence
length Lp of the chain, of the Peclet number, and of the Weissenberg number. The quantity
Lp/L measures the bending rigidity of the polymer, the Peclet number Pe is the ratio of active
force to thermal energy, and the Weissenberg number Wi characterizes the flow strength over
thermal effects.
In this presentation we will focus our attention to intermediate values of Pe corresponding to
the weak spiral regime when no external flow is applied. The numerical results allow us
to outline the main features of the physics underlying the considered system:
o At low values of Wi, polymers are stretched by activity and aligned by shear along the
flow direction. This effect is more marked in the case of more flexible chains.
o At the intermediate values of Wi, polymers are prone to tumble due to shear and this
promotes a contraction of the chain.
o At very high values of Wi, activity sums up to shear enhancing polymer stretching and
deformation.
Anno
2022
Autori IAC
Tipo pubblicazione
Altri Autori
A. Lamura