Biological Hydrodynamics WS22/23

Abstract: This class is divided in three parts and will cover hydrodynamics of passive fluids, hydrodynamics of active fluids, and biological pattern formation. We will review basics of continuum mechanics and equilibrium and non-equilibrium thermodynamics, linear response theory, Onsager relations, and the derivation of hydrodynamic equations both from microscopic rules and from a phenomenological approach using broken symmetries and conservation laws. Topics for passive fluids include thin film fluids and the statics and dynamics of nematic liquid crystals. Topics for active fluids include active nematic or polar fluids and biological fluids. Moving beyond linear response, we will discuss spatial chemical systems, bifurcation theory, and biological pattern formation. The class will end on coupled chemical and hydrodynamic pattern formation processes relevant for morphogenesis.

Scope: lecture: 2 hours/week; tutorials: 2 hours/week

Time:

Lecture every Wednesday 11:10am (3. DS)

Tutorial every Wednesday 1pm (4. DS)

Location:
Biotec E05/E06, 
Am Tatzberg 47/49

Audience: Bachelor and Master Physics students; students from the CMCB-Master 'NanoBioPhysics'; Master students from the 'Computational Modeling and Simulation' course

Specialization area: Soft Condensed Matter and Biological Physics

Previous knowledge: Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics

Lectures:
Benjamin Friedrich (TU Dresden)

Tutorial:
Maximilian Kotz (TU Dresden)

The examination (oral) will take place in March 2023. Please contact Anja Heinrich (CMCB student office) to register.