Selected Topics in Physics of Locomotion

This special topics graduate course deals with the physical processes involved in the locomotion of organisms, with a particular focus on locomotion at small scales in fluids. Topics include mechanisms of swimming motility for microorganisms, fluid mechanics at low Reynolds number, diffusion and Brownian motion, physical actuation, hydrodynamic interactions, swimming in complex fluids, artificial swimmers, and optimization. Prerequisites: (PHYS0470 or ENGN0510) and ( PHYS 0500 or ENGN0810 or ENGN1370), or permission of the instructor.