Mathematics Colloquia and Seminars

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I will discuss two problems in fluid mechanics inspired by biological systems. The first problem is that of an inanimate flyer hovering in a background oscillatory flow. I will comment on the efficiency of stable hovering, discuss stability and maneuverability of the flyer, and argue that the two properties need not be seen as disjoint. The second problem concerns the emergent global patterns of micro-swimmers in confined Hele-Shaw geometries. I will discuss three types of domains: doubly-periodic domains, circularly-confined domains, and narrow channels. I will show interesting transitions in the global patterns, including the development of density shock wakes.