We simulate the non-local Stokesian hydrodynamics of an elastic filament with a permanent distribution of stresslets along its contour. A bending instability of an initially straight filament induces curvatures in the distribution of stresslets, thus producing a net hydrodynamic flow in which the filament propels autonomously. Depending on the ratio of stresslet strength to elasticity, the linear instability can develop into unsteady states with large-amplitude non-linear deformations, where the filament conformation and the center of mass velocity fluctuate frequently. In planar flows, these unsteady states finally decay into steady states where the filament has constant translational or rotational motion . Our results can be tested in molecular-motor filament mixtures, synthetic chains of autocatalytic particles or other linearly connected systems where chemical energy is converted to mechanical energy in a fluid environment.
We simulate the nonlocal Stokesian hydrodynamics of an elastic filament with a permanent distribution of stresslets along its contour. A bending instability of an initially straight filament spontaneously breaks flow symmetry and leads to autonomous filament motion which, depending on conformational symmetry can be translational or rotational. At high ratios of stresslet strength to elasticity, the linear instability develops into non-linear fluctuating states with large amplitude deformations. The dynamics of these states can be qualitatively understood as a superposition of translational and rotational motion associated with filament conformational modes of opposite symmetry . Our results can be tested in molecular-motor filament mixtures, synthetic chains of autocatalytic particles or other linearly connected systems where chemical energy is converted to mechanical energy in a fluid environment.
R
non-local
nonlocal
R
induces curvatures in the distribution of stresslets, thus producing a net hydrodynamic flow in which the filament propels autonomously. Depending on the ratio
spontaneously breaks flow symmetry and leads to autonomous filament motion which, depending on conformational symmetry can be translational or rotational. At high ratios
R
can develop into unsteady states with large-amplitude non-linear deformations, where the filament conformation and the center of mass velocity fluctuate frequently. In planar flows, these unsteady states finally decay into steady states where the filament has constant translational or rotational motion
develops into non-linear fluctuating states with large amplitude deformations. The dynamics of these states can be qualitatively understood as a superposition of translational and rotational motion associated with filament conformational modes of opposite symmetry