Mathematical model for self-propelled droplets driven by interfacial tension

J Chem Phys. 2016 Mar 21;144(11):114707. doi: 10.1063/1.4943582.

Abstract

We propose a model for the spontaneous motion of a droplet induced by inhomogeneity in interfacial tension. The model is derived from a variation of the Lagrangian of the system and we use a time-discretized Morse flow scheme to perform its numerical simulations. Our model can naturally simulate the dynamics of a single droplet, as well as that of multiple droplets, where the volume of each droplet is conserved. We reproduced the ballistic motion and fission of a droplet, and the collision of two droplets was also examined numerically.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't