A Numerical Approach to the Optimal Control and Efficiency of the Copepod Swimmer
Abstract
This article presents a geometric and numericalapproach to compute the optimal swimming strokes of a larvalcopepod. A simplified model of locomotion at low Reynoldsnumber is analyzed in the framework of Sub-Riemanniangeometry. Both normal and abnormal geodesics are consideredalong which the mechanical power dissipated by the swimmeris conserved. Numerical simulations show that, among variousperiodic strokes, a normal stroke consisting of a simple loopshape is maximizing the efficiency.
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