Biomimetic Flagellated Swimmer Design and Fabrication: A Scaled Approach

Zhiyi Xu

doi:10.54254/2753-8818/2025.DL27286

Theoretical and Natural ScienceOpen access

Biomimetic Flagellated Swimmer Design and Fabrication: A Scaled Approach

Research Article

Open Access

Biomimetic Flagellated Swimmer Design and Fabrication: A Scaled Approach

Zhiyi Xu ^1*

¹ Sichuan University

^*Corresponding author: 2022141520006@stu.scu.edu.cn

Published on 2 October 2025

TNS Vol.132

ISSN (Print): 2753-8826

ISSN (Online): 2753-8818

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-305-5

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-306-2

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Abstract

This study presents a bioinspired approach to modeling, scaling, and fabricating a helical flagellated swimmer, mimicking the locomotion of bacteria in low Reynolds number environments. The project integrates theoretical analysis using Buckingham Pi theorem, MATLAB simulations, and physical prototyping via 3D printing. A scaled macroscopic swimmer was designed with a target Reynolds number below 0.1 and tested in both water and detergent-based viscous media. Experimental results were compared with theoretical predictions, and velocity-angular velocity relations were derived. This work demonstrates a hands-on methodology bridging microscale fluid dynamics with accessible macroscopic experiments, serving as both a research and teaching model.

Keywords:

Microswimmer, Low Reynolds number, Fluid dynamics, 3D printing

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References

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[8]. Ying, Y., Guan, G., & Lin, J. (2024). Hydrodynamic behavior of inertial elongated microswimmers in a horizontal channel. International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics, 166, 104838–104838. https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnonlinmec.2024.104838

[9]. Lisevich, I., Colin, R., Yang, H. Y., Ni, B., & Sourjik, V. (2025). Physics of swimming and its fitness cost determine strategies of bacterial investment in flagellar motility. Nature Communications, 16(1), 1–13. https: //doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56980-x

[10]. Cohen, N., & Boyle, J. H. (2010). Swimming at low Reynolds number: a beginners guide to undulatory locomotion. Contemporary Physics, 51(2), 103–123. https: //doi.org/10.1080/00107510903268381

References

[1]. Lauga, E., & Powers, T. R. (2009). The hydrodynamics of swimming microorganisms. Reports on Progress in Physics, 72(9), 096601. https: //doi.org/10.1088/0034-4885/72/9/096601

[3]. Purcell, E. M. (1977). Life at low Reynolds number. American Journal of Physics, 45(1), 3–11. https: //doi.org/10.1119/1.10903

[5]. Downton, M. T., & Stark, H. (2009). Simulation of a model microswimmer. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 21(20), 204101. https: //doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984/21/20/204101

[10]. Cohen, N., & Boyle, J. H. (2010). Swimming at low Reynolds number: a beginners guide to undulatory locomotion. Contemporary Physics, 51(2), 103–123. https: //doi.org/10.1080/00107510903268381

Cite this article

Xu,Z. (2025). Biomimetic Flagellated Swimmer Design and Fabrication: A Scaled Approach. Theoretical and Natural Science,132,49-54.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of CONF-APMM 2025 Symposium: Simulation and Theory of Differential-Integral Equation in Applied Physics

ISBN: 978-1-80590-305-5(Print) / 978-1-80590-306-2(Online)

Editor: Marwan Omar, Shuxia Zhao

Conference website: https://www.confapmm.org/dalian.html

Conference date: 27 September 2025

Series: Theoretical and Natural Science

Volume number: Vol.132

ISSN: 2753-8818(Print) / 2753-8826(Online)

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