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Gravitaxis of asymmetric self-propelled colloidal particles

Author

Listed:
  • Borge ten Hagen

    (Institut für Theoretische Physik II: Weiche Materie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf)

  • Felix Kümmel

    (2. Physikalisches Institut, Universität Stuttgart)

  • Raphael Wittkowski

    (SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh)

  • Daisuke Takagi

    (University of Hawaii at Manoa)

  • Hartmut Löwen

    (Institut für Theoretische Physik II: Weiche Materie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf)

  • Clemens Bechinger

    (2. Physikalisches Institut, Universität Stuttgart
    Max-Planck-Institut für Intelligente Systeme)

Abstract

Many motile microorganisms adjust their swimming motion relative to the gravitational field and thus counteract sedimentation to the ground. This gravitactic behaviour is often the result of an inhomogeneous mass distribution, which aligns the microorganism similar to a buoy. However, it has been suggested that gravitaxis can also result from a geometric fore–rear asymmetry, typical for many self-propelling organisms. Despite several attempts, no conclusive evidence for such an asymmetry-induced gravitactic motion exists. Here, we study the motion of asymmetric self-propelled colloidal particles which have a homogeneous mass density and a well-defined shape. In experiments and by theoretical modelling, we demonstrate that a shape anisotropy alone is sufficient to induce gravitactic motion with either preferential upward or downward swimming. In addition, also trochoid-like trajectories transversal to the direction of gravity are observed.

Suggested Citation

  • Borge ten Hagen & Felix Kümmel & Raphael Wittkowski & Daisuke Takagi & Hartmut Löwen & Clemens Bechinger, 2014. "Gravitaxis of asymmetric self-propelled colloidal particles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms5829
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5829
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