G. Napoli

Nonholonomic collective flows: velocity--orientation locking in a continuum with microstructure

We develop a continuum theory for a fluid of elongated particles that advance along their own axes. The same kinematics is ideally shared by flocks of sheep, self-propelled rods, vehicular traffic, and turning flocks of birds. Within the framework of continua with vectorial microstructure, in which each point also carr...