Self-organization of micro-swimmers in confined spaces
The intricate self-organized dynamics of micro-swimmers is shown to result from a complex interplay of the individuals with the surrounding fluid and environment. I will present simulations that resolve these interactions to look at motion of swimmers in circular drops, racetracks or moving domains. Experiments with Bacillus subtilis bacteria confirm the predictions of a stable swirling vortex in circular drops or a persistent unidirectional stream in racetracks. The similarities and differences between the behavior of bacteria, algae and spermatozoa will be discussed.