Abstract: The observed swimming behavior of a motile microorganism is the result of a complex interplay between mechanisms of internal force generation, passive elastic properties of its structure, and a surrounding viscous fluid. We will present a mathematical and computational model that is based upon the immersed boundary method - a general method developed to study the interactions of elastic objects with an incompressible fluid. Recent successes in the modeling of these coupled systems, with applications from ciliary beating to spirochete motility, will be presented.
Future talks in Scientific Computing Seminar
Nov. 2: C. Carstensen, Institute of Mathematics, Humboldt University, Berlin. Nov. 11: Jiwen He, Department of Mathematics, University of Houston. Nov. 18: E.W. Sachs, Department of Mathematics, Virginia Tech. Nov. 22: P. Bochev: Sandia National Laboratories. Nov. 23: O. Pironneau, Universite Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, France.
This seminar is easily accessible to persons with disabilities. For more information or for assistance, please contact the Mathematics Department at 743-3500.