Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Sign in to save

Mixing and unmixing induced by active camphor particles

Physical Review Fluids 2021 12 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 35 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Clément Gouiller, Clément Gouiller, Florence Raynal, Laurent Maquet, Laurent Maquet, Mickaël Bourgoin, Cécile Cottin-Bizonne, Romain Volk, Christophe Ybert

Summary

Scientists used self-propelled camphor particles on water to study how tiny floating objects are mixed or separated by active swimmers. This fluid physics research has implications for understanding how microplastic particles are distributed and mixed in water bodies with current and biological activity.

Small colloidal floaters are poured at the air-water interface of a tank stirred by many camphor swimmers. The system rapidly reaches a statistically stationary state, resulting in competition between (i) efficient stirring by the disordered motion of the swimmers and (ii) unmixing promoted by the chemical cloud attached to each individual self-propelled disk.

Read via DOI Download PDF

Share this paper

Post Share Share Pin Email