The Taylor--Couette motor: spontaneous flows of active polar fluids between two coaxial cylinders

Abstract

We study the dynamics of active polar fluids in a Taylor–Couette geometry where the fluid is confined between two rotating coaxial cylinders. This system can spontaneously generate flow fields and thereby set the two cylinders into relative rotation either by spontaneous symmetry breaking or via asymmetric boundary conditions on the polarization field at the cylinder surfaces. In the presence of an externally applied torque, the system can act as a rotatory motor and perform mechanical work. The relation between the relative angular velocity of the cylinders and the externally applied torque exhibits rich behaviors such as dynamic instabilities and the coexistence of multiple stable steady states for certain ranges of parameter values and boundary conditions.

Sebastian Fürthauer

Principal Investigator, WWTF VRG Young Investigator

Researching the Physics of life.