Self-propelled motion of a droplet induced by Marangoni-driven spreading.
We report the generation of directed self-propelled motion of a droplet of aniline oil with a velocity on the order of centimeters per second on an aqueous phase. It is found that, depending on the initial conditions, the droplet shows either circular or beeline motion in a circular Petri dish. The motion of a droplet depends on volume of the droplet and concentration of solution. The velocity decreases when volume of the droplet and concentration of solution increase. Such unique motion is discussed in terms of Marangoni-driven spreading under chemical nonequilibrium. The simulation reproduces the mode of motion in a circular Petri dish.
Chen
Yong-Jun
YJ
Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Oiwake-cho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
Nagamine
Yuko
Y
Yoshikawa
Kenichi
K