Chirality-dependent forces in simple shear flow for helix aligned with streamlines

摘要

We consider the chiral properties for a helix in uniform shear flow. We decompose the helical structure into arrays of N closely packed beads with radius a. In low Reynolds number regime, the chirality-specific lift forces in the vorticity direction experienced by helices are given by a set of helix geometry parameters: helix radius (rho) , pitch length (b) , number of turns (n) and helix phase angle (phi). The analytical formula of the force is firstly given. The chirality-specific forces are the physical reasons for the chiral separation of helices in shear flow. Our results provide new insights into the separations of all kinds of chiral objects.