Microrheology of active suspensions

Abstract

We study the microrheology of active suspensions through direct hydrodynamic simulations using model pusher-like microswimmers. We demonstrate that the friction coefficient of a probe particle is notably reduced by hydrodynamic interactions (HIs) among a moving probe and the swimmers. When a swimmer approaches a probe from the rear (front) side, the repulsive HIs between them are weakened (intensified), which results in a slight front-rear asymmetry in swimmer orientation distribution around the probe, creating a significant additional net driving force acting on the probe from the rear side. The present drag-reduction mechanism qualitatively differs from that of the viscosity-reduction observed in sheared bulk systems and depends on probing details. This study provides insights into our fundamental knowledge of hydrodynamic effects in active suspensions and serves as a practical example illuminating distinctions between micro- and macrorheology measurements.