Pumping and mixing in active pores
arXiv:2203.11773 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.188003
Abstract
We show both numerically and analytically that a chemically patterned active pore can act as a micro/nano-pump for fluids, even if it is fore-aft symmetric. This is possible due to a spontaneous symmetry breaking which occurs when advection rather than diffusion is the dominant mechanism of solute transport. We further demonstrate that, for pumping and tuning the flow rate, a combination of geometrical and chemical inhomogeneities is required. For certain parameter values, the flow is unsteady, and persistent oscillations with a tunable frequency appear. Finally, we find that the flow may lose its axial symmetry and hence promotes mixing in the low Reynolds number regime.
arXiv comment16 pages, 8 figures, 1 video ; additional discussion
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