Effects of shear-thinning viscosity and viscoelastic stresses on flagellated bacteria motility
Zijie Qu, Kenneth S. Breuer
Abstract
Experiments show that shear-thinning viscosity experienced by rotating flagella is the major reason for the enhancement of bacterial swimming speed in a non-Newtonian fluid. Shear-induced normal stress plays an important role in promoting flagella bundling.
Topics & Concepts
FlagellumViscoelasticityViscosityMotilityBacteriaRheologyChemistryStress (linguistics)BiophysicsMicrobiologyRheometryMaterials scienceApparent viscosityBiologyMicro and Nano RoboticsMicrofluidic and Bio-sensing TechnologiesParticle Dynamics in Fluid Flows