Eur. Phys. J. E (2006) 20: 151-158
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2006-10009-1

Regular Article

A Lattice-Boltzmann model for suspensions of self-propelling colloidal particles

¹ Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, 600036, Chennai, India
² MEMPHYS-Center for Biomembrane Physics, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230, Denmark
³ Department de Fisica Fonamental, Universitat de Barcelona, Carrer Martı i Franqués 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

^* e-mail: sunil@physics.iitm.ac.in

Received: 23 January 2006
Accepted: 3 May 2006
Published online: 16 June 2006

Abstract

We present a Lattice-Boltzmann method for simulating self-propelling (active) colloidal particles in two dimensions. Active particles with symmetric and asymmetric force distribution on their surface are considered. The velocity field generated by a single active particle, changing its orientation randomly, and the different time scales involved are characterized in detail. The steady-state speed distribution in the fluid, resulting from the activity, is shown to deviate considerably from the equilibrium distribution.