Properties of Hagen-Poiseuille flows in channel networks

Abstract

We derive the main properties of adaptive Hagen-Poiseuille flows in elastic microchannel networks akin to biological veins in organisms. We show that adaptive Hagen-Poiseuille flows successfully simulate key features of \textit{Physarum polycephalum} networks, replicating physiological out-of-equilibrium phenomena like peristalsis and shuttle streaming, associated with the mechanism of nutrient transport in \textit{Physarum}. A new topological steady state has been identified for asynchronous adaptation, supporting out-of-equilibrium laminar fluxes. Adaptive Hagen-Poiseuille flows show saturation effects on the fluxes in contractile veins, as observed in animal and artificial contractile veins.