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J. Srajer, I. Gebeshuber:
"Microfluidic simulation of a colonial diatom chain reveals pumping behaviour";
Vortrag: 3. Wiener Biomaterialsymposium, TU Wien; 19.11.2008; in: "Tagungsband, 3. Wiener Biomaterialsymposium", (2008), ISBN: 978-3-200-01613-2; S. 2.

Diatoms are single-celled organisms with rigid parts in relative motion at the micrometer scale and below. Some species such as Rutilaria philippinarum form colonies that are several cells long. Inspired by recent studies on the linking structures that connect sibling cells [1, see figure] a two-dimensional finite element model was established. In this model, the cell size is 140.m*34.m, the distance between cells varies from 10.m to 30.m, and the colony has infinite length: the model "unit cell" comprises ten cells with periodic boundary conditions. Undisturbed fluid flow between the single cells is allowed for in this first simple model. The cells do not move actively, and are solely moved by the water. The initial fluid velocity varies between 0.01m/s and 1m/s. Stationary solutions of the model starting from equidistant cells shows pairing of neighbouring cells. On the other hand, starting the calculations from already paired cells shows the opposite effect: the pairs tend to reach the equidistant state again. From this result it is concluded that the alternation between these two stationary states causes an oscillatory movement of the chain. These modelling attempts might have laid a bio-inspired basis for a novel type of pumps in the micrometer length scale [2,3].


[1] Gebeshuber I.C. and Crawford R.M. (2006) "Micromechanics in biogenic hydrated silica: hinges and interlocking devices in diatoms", Proc. IMechE Part J: J. Eng. Tribol. 220(J8), 787-796.
[2] Gebeshuber I.C. (2007) "Biotribology inspires new technologies", invited article, Nano Today 2(5), 30-37.
[3] Gebeshuber I.C. and Drack M. "An attempt to reveal synergies between biology and engineering mechanics", IMechE Part C: J. Mech. Eng. Sci., in press.\