This National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) Project Grant award of $265,007 to Brown University aims to advance the understanding of bacterial swimming motion through a robophysical modeling approach. The project will leverage techniques from robotics to realistically emulate biological systems and unravel the influences of various physical and biological factors on bacterial motility. The key products and services to be delivered include:
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Experimental and theoretical investigations to elucidate how different non-Newtonian rheological behaviors impact bacterial locomotion, characterize bacterial swimming near surfaces, and examine the hydrodynamic interactions of neighboring swimming bacteria.
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Integration of theoretical modeling with direct experimental validations to critically assess existing and new hypotheses on the physical mechanisms responsible for observed bacterial swimming behaviors in complex environments.
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Education and training opportunities, including the use of senior design projects and creation of educational films based on the project outcomes, to broaden research participation and enhance fluid dynamics education.
The project outcomes are intended to transform fundamental knowledge of bacterial motility into future biomedical and technological advancements. The award period is from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027.
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