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Gyrotactic clustering from turbulent acceleration

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We study self-propelled particles advected by a turbulent flow as a model of microorganisms swimming in a turbulent environment. In particular, we consider (spherical) gyrotactic microorganisms, whose swimming direction results from vortical overturning and fluid acceleration. In such conditions self-propelled particles forms (multi)fractal aggregates, which can be rationalized, in some limits, in terms of an effective compressibility.

Author(s):

Massimo Cencini    
ISC, CNR
Italy