Authors
Corinna C Maass, Carsten Krüger, Stephan Herminghaus, Christian Bahr
Publication date
2016/3/10
Source
Annual Review of Condensed Matter Physics
Volume
7
Pages
171-193
Publisher
Annual Reviews
Description
Swimming droplets are artificial microswimmers based on liquid droplets that show self-propelled motion when immersed in a second liquid. These systems are of tremendous interest as experimental models for the study of collective dynamics far from thermal equilibrium. For biological systems, such as bacterial colonies, plankton, or fish swarms, swimming droplets can provide a vital link between simulations and real life. We review the experimental systems and discuss the mechanisms of self-propulsion. Most systems are based on surfactant-stabilized droplets, the surfactant layer of which is modified in a way that leads to a steady Marangoni stress resulting in an autonomous motion of the droplet. The modification of the surfactant layer is caused either by the advection of a chemical reactant or by a solubilization process. Some types of swimming droplets possess a very simple design and long active periods …
Total citations
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Scholar articles
CC Maass, C Krüger, S Herminghaus, C Bahr - Annual Review of Condensed Matter Physics, 2016