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Hydrodynamic hovering of swimming bacteria above surfaces

Pyae Hein Htet1, Debasish Das2,*, and Eric Lauga1,†

  • 1Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0WA, United Kingdom
  • 2Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde, 26 Richmond St, Glasgow G1 1XH, Scotland, United Kingdom

  • *Contact author: debasish.das@strath.ac.uk
  • †Contact author: e.lauga@damtp.cam.ac.uk
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Phys. Rev. Research 6, L032070 – Published 19 September, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.6.L032070

Abstract

Flagellated bacteria are hydrodynamically attracted to rigid walls, yet past work shows a “hovering” state where they swim stably at a finite height above surfaces. We use numerics and theory to reveal the physical origin of hovering. Simulations first show that hovering requires an elongated cell body and results from a tilt away from the wall. Theoretical models then identify two essential asymmetries: the response of width-asymmetric cells to active flows created by length-asymmetric cells. A minimal model reconciles near- and far-field hydrodynamics, capturing all key features of hovering.

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Phys. Rev. Research 6, L032070– Published 19 September, 2024
  • Received 4 March 2024
  • Accepted 25 July 2024
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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