A phase field description of self-propulsion of twin sessile drops induced by surface tension gradients

We describe the self-propulsion of two sessile drops induced by surface tension gradients at the droplet interfaces using a three-dimensional phase field model. We study the problem for the low viscosity regime when the width of the connecting neck between the interacting drops increases linearly with increasing t1/2 and the merger is dominated by capillary forces. We investigate the dependence of the displacement achieved by self-propulsion on viscous shearing as well as the internal flow structure during the coalescence process.