Metachronal coordination as a mesoscale phenomenon

Ziegler S, Delens M, Collard Y, Hubert M, Vandewalle N, Smith AS (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Physics of Fluids American Institute of Physics (AIP)

Book Volume: 37

Article Number: 121917

Journal Issue: 12

DOI: 10.1063/5.0302427

Abstract

Metachronal coordination is a highly efficient natural strategy for swimming across scales, yet mimetic systems replicating this form of propulsion remain rare, limiting our ability to explore its underlying physics. Here, we investigate a minimal magneto-capillary system consisting of seven beads that exhibit metachronal-like motion when actuated by either a rotating or Lissajous-type oscillating magnetic field, resulting in net rotation or translation of the assembly, respectively. By systematically varying the driving frequency, we identify two distinct swimming regimes, both experimentally and theoretically. At low frequencies and negligible Reynolds numbers, propulsion arises from individual bead rotations phase-locked to the external field, constituting a linear, quasi-static regime. At higher frequencies, where the Reynolds number of the appendages exceeds unity, the dynamics transition to a deformation-dominated metachronal regime. Notably, optimized propulsion emerges near a mechanical resonance, underscoring the increasing role of inertia. While demonstrated on a specific design, we hypothesize that the existence of these regimes and the crossover between them may be a general feature of mesoscopic swimmers in nature.

Authors with CRIS profile

Sebastian Ziegler Physics Underlying Life Science (PULS) Maxime Hubert Physics Underlying Life Science (PULS) Ana-Suncana Smith Physics Underlying Life Science (PULS)

Involved external institutions

University of Liège (ULg) / Université de Liège BE Belgium (BE)

How to cite

APA:

Ziegler, S., Delens, M., Collard, Y., Hubert, M., Vandewalle, N., & Smith, A.-S. (2025). Metachronal coordination as a mesoscale phenomenon. Physics of Fluids, 37(12). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0302427

MLA:

Ziegler, Sebastian, et al. "Metachronal coordination as a mesoscale phenomenon." Physics of Fluids 37.12 (2025).

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