Microhydrodynamics of driven and active filaments[HBNI Th113]

Abstract

In this thesis, we develop and apply a formalism applicable to the study of active slender bodies in the micro-hydrodynamic regime. Considering elasticity of the slender body, Brownian motion, activity at the fluid-structure interface and many-body hydrodynamic interaction, we present a general theory of active filaments. Then, we study the spontaneous motion of a minimal active filament which is force-free and torque-tree. Thereafter, the dynamic response of the active filament in an external field is studied in detail. We further propose a new method of synthesising a motile micromotor by assembling a passive elastic filament with an active bead. We conclude the thesis with our study on the emergent behaviour of active rods near a wall.