Three-dimensional analysis of swimming properties of a spiral-type magnetic micro-machine

The swimming properties of a spiral-type magnetic micro-machine were analyzed theoretically using 3D finite volume method. The basic equations of incompressible viscous fluid flow were integrated. The flow field around the micro-machine was calculated to estimate the swimming velocity, thrust, drag, and load torque of a spiral-type magnetic micro-machine. Good agreement was obtained between the experimental and theoretical results in a low Reynolds number. Therefore, the 3D analysis method without any fitting parameters was judged to be established.