title: Self-propulsion of a metallic superoleophobic micro-boat.
abstract: The self-propulsion of a heavy, superoleophobic, metallic micro-boat carrying a droplet of various aqueous alcohol solutions as a fuel tank is reported. The micro-boat is driven by the solutocapillary Marangoni flow. The jump in the surface tension owing to the condensation of alcohols on the water surface was established experimentally. Maximal velocities of the self-propulsion were registered as high as 0.05m/s. The maximal velocity of the center mass of the boat correlates with the maximal change in the surface tension, due to the condensation of alcohols. The mechanism of the self-locomotion is discussed. The phenomenological dynamic model describing the self-propulsion is reported.
authors.affiliation: Ariel University, Natural Science Faculty, Physics Department, P.O.B. 3, 407000 Ariel, Israel.
authors.forename: Albina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Musin
authors.affiliation: Ariel University, Natural Science Faculty, Physics Department, P.O.B. 3, 407000 Ariel, Israel.
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grynyov
authors.affiliation: Ariel University, Natural Science Faculty, Physics Department, P.O.B. 3, 407000 Ariel, Israel; Ariel University, Engineering Faculty, Chemical Engineering Department, P.O.B. 3, 40700 Ariel, Israel.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frenkel
authors.affiliation: Ariel University, Natural Science Faculty, Physics Department, P.O.B. 3, 407000 Ariel, Israel; Ariel University, Engineering Faculty, Chemical Engineering Department, P.O.B. 3, 40700 Ariel, Israel. Electronic address: edward@ariel.ac.il.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bormashenko
keywords: Marangoni flow; Self-propulsion; Superoleophobic boat; Surface tension