Controlled locomotion of a droplet propelled by an encapsulated squirmer

Abstract

Abstract: We work out the propulsion of a viscous drop which is driven by two mechanisms: the active velocity of an encapsulated squirmer and an externally applied force acting on the squirmer. Of particular interest is the existence of a stable comoving state of drop and squirmer, allowing for controlled manipulation of the viscous drop by external forcing. The velocities of droplet and squirmer, as well as the conditions for a stable comoving state are worked out analytically for the axisymmetric configuration with a general displacement of the squirmer from the center of the droplet Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].