Work

Active particle in a very thin interfacial droplet

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: A single light-driven Janus particle confined in a very thin oil droplet at an air-water interface displays intriguing dynamics. While laser activation induces rapid horizontal motion ( 1 m m / s – 1 c m / s ) by thermal Marangoni flow, the particle exhibits unexpected periodic circular motions or intermittent irregular motions. We show that the trajectories are the result of a coupling between the self-propulsion of the particle and the spatiotemporal droplet thickness changes. We propose a simple model where the properties of the active particle trajectories are governed by capillary forces and torques due to the confinement of the particle in the thin droplet.

Source: Physical Review Research

DOI: 10.1103/882l-mzr2

Authors: Airi N. Kato, Kaili Xie, Benjamin Gorin, Jean-Michel Rampnoux, Hamid Kellay

Institutions: Université de Bordeaux, Laboratoire Ondes et Matière d'Aquitaine, Institute of Physics, Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute, University of Amsterdam

Language: English

Topic: Micro and Nano Robotics

Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,625

Funder: Agence Nationale de la Recherche