Eur. Phys. J. E (2009) 28: 279-284
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2008-10406-4

Regular Article

Optimal strokes for axisymmetric microswimmers

¹ Laboratoire de Mathématiques, Université Paris-Sud, 91405, Orsay cedex, France
² SISSA-International School for Advanced Studies, Trieste, Italy

^* e-mail: desimone@sissa.it

Received: 14 July 2008
Accepted: 16 December 2008
Published online: 26 January 2009

Abstract

We present a theory for low-Reynolds-number axisymmetric swimmers and a general strategy for the computation of strokes of maximal efficiency. An explicit equation characterizing optimal strokes is derived, and numerical strategies to obtain solutions are discussed. The merits of this approach are demonstrated by applying it to two concrete examples: the three linked spheres of Najafi and Golestanian and the pushmepullyou of Avron, Kenneth, and Oakmin.