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In this study, we clarified energetics of microbial locomotion by computing flow around a spherical swimmer covered with cilia. We showed a scaling law for microbial dynamics, and revealed that microorganisms can swim optimally and enlarge their bodies by making multiple cilia. The optimal density of cilia was independent of the body size, which indicates that the optimal number of cilia was proportional to the square of body size. Our estimated optimal density of cilia corresponded to those of actual microorganisms, including species of ciliates and microalgae.
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This page is a summary of: Swimming microorganisms acquire optimal efficiency with multiple cilia, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, November 2020, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2011146117.
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