Rotary motion driven by a direct current electric field

Abstract

We report the rotary motion of an aqueous microdroplet in an oil phase under a stationary direct current electric field. A droplet exhibits rotary motion under a suitable geometrical arrangement of positive and negative electrodes. Rotary motion appears above a certain critical electric potential and its frequency increases with an increase in the potential. A simple theoretical model is proposed to describe the occurrence of this rotary motion, together with an argument for the future expansion of this micro rotary motor system.