Cargo carrying with an inertial squirmer in a Newtonian fluid

• DOI: 10.1017/jfm.2023.126
• Publication Date: 2023-03-20T11:27:49Z
• Authors: Zhenyu Ouyang; Zhaowu Lin; Jianzhong Lin; Zhaosheng Yu; Nhan Phan-Thien
• Keywords: Slosh dynamics

We numerically investigate the hydrodynamics of a spherical swimmer carrying rigid cargo in Newtonian fluid. This model, ‘squirmer’, which is self-propelled by generating tangential surface waves, simulated direct-forcing fictitious domain method (DF-FDM). consider effects swimming Reynolds numbers ( Re ) (based on radius and speed squirmers), assembly models (related to shapes, relative distances d s positions between squirmer cargo) assembly's locomotion. find that ‘pusher-cargo’ (pusher behind model swims significantly faster than remaining three at finite adopted this study; term ‘pusher’ indicates object propelled from rear, as opposed ‘puller’, front. Both ‘cargo-pusher’ front assemblies with an oblate swim corresponding or prolate cargo. In addition, pusher-cargo more efficient other models, larger yields smaller hydrodynamic efficiency η for but greater cargo-pusher model. also illustrate stability, finding ‘puller-cargo’ (puller stable ‘cargo-puller’ unstable swimming.