An electrohydrodynamic dance of unequal partners

Abstract

The dynamics of charge-free dielectric droplets under electric fields in weakly conducting fluids is relevant to a large range of technological and environmental applications. In Sorgentone & Vlahovska (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 951, 2022, R2), the authors investigate by asymptotic theory and boundary integral simulations the motility states of a pair of dissimilar droplets at an arbitrary orientation to the electric field and find a state of steady motility that is carefully balanced between repulsion and contact.