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Chemically active particles in extensional flow

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 April 2025

Rahul Roy Open the ORCID record for Rahul Roy [Opens in a new window]  and
Shubhadeep Mandal Open the ORCID record for Shubhadeep Mandal [Opens in a new window]
Rahul Roy
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
Shubhadeep Mandal*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
*
Corresponding author: Shubhadeep Mandal, [email protected]
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Abstract

In a quiescent medium, chemically active particles propel themselves by emitting or absorbing solutes, creating concentration gradients that induce a slip at the particle surface. This self-propulsion occurs when solute advection overcomes diffusion. However, an imposed flow field can alter these dynamics. This study explores the propulsion characteristics and the related rheological consequences of chemically active particles in an imposed uniaxial extensional flow analytically and numerically. An asymptotic solution is obtained for weak imposed flow relative to self-induced diffusiophoretic slip. Meanwhile, finite element simulations are carried out over a wide range of imposed flow strength and Péclet number. The results reveal that the interplay between solute advection, imposed flow and diffusiophoretic slip significantly affects particle propulsion and suspension rheology. While solute advection and diffusiophoretic slip tend to create asymmetric solute distributions, promoting self-propulsion, imposed extensional flow promotes symmetric distributions, hindering self-propulsion. This not only delays the start of self-propulsion but also results in an early transition from a propulsion state to a stationary state characterised by an abrupt halt at relatively lower Péclet number compared to a quiescent medium. Post the abrupt halt, a stirring effect induced by particle activity and imposed extensional flow results in an increased magnitude of stresslet, thus a sudden change in the effective viscosity of the active suspension. The effect of imposed extensional flow on active particle dynamics and suspension rheology can be described succinctly by categorising the overall dynamics into three separate regimes, determined by the Péclet number and the intensity of the extensional flow.

JFM classification

Micro-/Nano-fluid dynamics: Microfluidics Biological Fluid Dynamics: Swimming/flying
Type
JFM Papers
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 1008 , 10 April 2025 , A40
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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