Active Particles in Viscosity Gradients

Abstract

Microswimmers in nature often experience spatial gradients of viscosity. In this Letter we develop theoretical results for the dynamics of active particles, biological or otherwise, swimming through viscosity gradients. We model the active particles using the squirmer model, and show how viscosity gradients lead to viscotaxis for squirmers, and how the effects of viscosity gradients depend on the swimming gait of the microswimmers. We also show how such gradients in viscosity can be used to control active particles and suggest a mechanism to sort them based on their swimming style.