A reciprocal theorem for Marangoni propulsion. (25th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Masoud, Hassan; Stone, Howard A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of fluid mechanics. Volume 741(2014:Feb.)
• Publication Date: 2014-02-25
• Subjects: interfacial flows (free surface), -- low-Reynolds-number flows, -- propulsion; Fluid mechanics -- Periodicals; 532.005
• DOI: 10.1017/jfm.2014.8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1120

Abstract

Abstract: We study the Marangoni propulsion of a spheroidal particle located at a liquid–gas interface. The particle asymmetrically releases an insoluble surface-active agent and so creates and maintains a surface tension gradient leading to the self-propulsion. Assuming that the surface tension has a linear dependence on the concentration of the released agent, we derive closed-form expressions for the translational speed of the particle in the limit of small capillary, Péclet and Reynolds numbers. Our derivations are based on the Lorentz reciprocal theorem, which eliminates the need to develop the detailed flow field.