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Article
A reciprocal theorem for Marangoni propulsion
Journal of Fluid Mechanics (2014)
  • Hassan Masoud, Princeton University, New York University
  • Howard A. Stone, Princeton University
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.
Keywords
  • interfacial flows (free surface),
  • propulsion,
  • low-Reynolds-number flows
Publication Date
February 11, 2014
DOI
10.1017/jfm.2014.8
Publisher Statement
© 2014 Cambridge University Press. Publisher's version of record: https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2014.8
Citation Information
Hassan Masoud and Howard A. Stone. "A reciprocal theorem for Marangoni propulsion" Journal of Fluid Mechanics Vol. 741 (2014) p. R4-1 - R4-7 ISSN: 0022-1120
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/hassan-masoud/8/