Figure 9.

Parameter dependence of ‘effective’ unravelling. Comparison of time scale $t_{\mathrm{dep},50\text{\%}}$ for unravelling half the total length of the fibre for different values of m, as the dimensionless quantity $\mathrm{\wp }$ is varied in different unravelling scenarios. (a) Pinned thread in uniform flow, (b) pinned skein in uniform flow, (c) free thread and skein in straining flow and (d) symmetric free skeins in straining flow. Other parameters used are r = 1 μm, R₀ = 50 μm, $L_0=2R_0$, U = 1 m s⁻¹ and λ = 10 s⁻¹. The dotted horizontal line represents the physiologically observed time scale (=0.4 s). (Online version in colour.)