Self-maintained Movements of Droplets with Convection Flow

Running droplets have been studied recent years as dissipative macroscopic structures with locomotive capability, a characteristic of which is shared with biological systems. We constructed a numerical model of a droplet that integrates fluid dynamics and chemical reaction. Our results show that the chemical gradient generates droplet’s motion, accompanied with convection flow. This convection flow contributes sustaining the chemical gradient, making a positive feedback loop. The simulated droplet self-maintains a chemical gradient, a prerequisite for locomotion, which constitutes a prototype of autonomous movement.