Elastohydrodynamics of Microfilament under Distributed Body Actuation

The dynamics of an active filament in low Reynolds (Re) number regime is analyzed under distributed body actuation represented by the sliding filament model. The governing elastohydrodynamic equations are formulated by assuming the resistive force theory (RFT). The effect of geometric nonlinearity in bending stiffness on the propulsive thrust has been analyzed where the former is introduced by cross-sectional tapering. Two types of boundary conditions (clamped-free and hinged-free) are analyzed. A comparison with the uniform filament dynamics reveals that the tapering enhances the thrust under both types of boundary conditions.