Vortex formation in swarms of interacting particles

C.R. McInnes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Vortexlike swarming behavior is observed in a wide range of biological systems. In the work reported here a discrete particle model is used to investigate the onset of such vortexlike behavior in a swarm of interacting particles. A constrained minimization of the total effective energy of the swarm of particles is performed, with the total angular momentum of the swarm conserved. It is shown that the emergence of vortexlike behavior can then be viewed as a constrained minimum energy configuration which the swarm relaxes into.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)032904-032907
Number of pages3
JournalPhysical Review E: Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics
Volume75
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007

Keywords

  • pattern formation
  • biology
  • particle model
  • vortex
  • power systems

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