Integrating Internal Mechanics with External Fluid Dynamics for Two Model Swimmers
Lisa Fauci
Department of Mathematics
Tulane University
Locomotion due to body undulations is observed across the entire spectrum of swimming organisms (and Reynolds numbers) from microscopic flagella to fish. The internal force generating mechanisms range from the action of dynein molecular motors within a flagellum to muscle activation in lamprey. These active forces are also mediated by passive structural forces in each system. We will present recent progress in building computational models that reflect the full coupling of internal force mechanisms with external fluid mechanics in sperm and lamprey.