Pair interactions of bacterial active droplets in nematic liquid crystals

Self-propulsion of water-based droplets with a large number of suspended bacteria is enabled by the asymmetric structure (Hyperbolic Hedgehog) forms around them in a nematic liquid crystal environment [1]. Here, we report on the interaction of two active droplets moving: (1) in the same direction, (2) in opposite directions. We also discuss the speeds of the pairs after the interaction comparing to that of the individual droplets.