Curvature-Induced Normal Dynamics and Detachment Conditions for Constrained Constant-Speed Motion on 2DManifolds
preprint
OA: closed
Abstract
The dynamic interaction between self-propelled constant-speed motion and surface topology is a fundamental problem in active matter physics and the control of surface-climbing robotics. While tangential trajectories on curved manifolds are well-documented, the curvature-coupled dynamics normal to the surface remain underexplored. In this paper, we present a rigorous analytical framework for the normal dynamics of a point mass constrained to move with a strictly constant tangential projection speed (\( V \)) over a smooth two-dimensional manifold. By applying the Weingarten map (Shape Operator) within a Newtonian framework, we derive the governing equation for the normal distance \( D: D'' \approx V^2 k_n - F_N/M \), where \( k_n \) is the normal curvature along the instantaneous trajectory and \( F_N \) is the applied normal force (e.g., gravity or adhesion). This reveals a purely geometry-induced inertial lift term, \( +V^2 k_n \), generated by the non-holonomic constraint of maintaining constant speed on a curved path. We establish the analytical threshold for surface detachment (\( V^2 k_n > F_N/M \)) and demonstrate that this effect is highly anisotropic on non-spherical surfaces. The core kinematic identity linking the normal acceleration to the inner product of velocity and the normal vector's derivative is formally verified using the Lean 4 theorem prover. Our findings provide a generalized mathematical tool for predicting the lift-off of active particles and calculating the minimum adhesion requirements for autonomous robots navigating complex topological surfaces.
My notes (saved in your browser only)
Citation neighborhood (no data yet)
We don't have any in-corpus citations linked to this paper yet. This is a recent paper (2026) — citers typically take a year or two to land, and the OpenAlex reference graph may still be filling in.
Source provenance
- europepmc
- last seen: 2026-05-20T01:45:00.602351+00:00