Pattern formation by particles settling in viscous flows

Abstract

Results are reported of several simulations of the motions of small objects in two-dimensional cellular flows performed to study the evolution of the distributions of particle flows over time in processes such as sedimentation. Stream functions are defined in the form of a Hamiltonian system for the particle motions, with inertial and particle acceleration being neglected. Conditions are found for which the particles will become trapped in an oscillatory motion or the particle orbits attain an oscillary motion. Various simulation images are provided to illustrate the usefulness of the technique for modeling fractal swarms.