PhD Research Topic

Dynamics of self-propelled microswimmers in complex environments 

Biological microswimmers often encounter various surfaces and narrow spaces, which can contribute to human diseases. Similarly, in targeted drug delivery systems, microbots face challenges like navigating through mucus layers and encountering immune cells. Therefore, it's crucial to understand how hydrodynamics and surface tension affect self-propelled microswimmers in complex environments like these.

We propose using a combination of experiments and mathematical models to study how factors such as curvature, surface tension, and confined spaces impact active droplets. This investigation will uncover important physical aspects governing interactions between microswimmers and surfaces, providing insights into preventing bacterial infections. Additionally, it will shed light on how artificial microswimmers interact with biological substances such as cells, tissues, and mucus during targeted drug delivery within tight spaces.