Droplets sliding on single and multiple vertical fibers

Complex problems; Droplet characteristics; Droplet dynamics; Fiber systems; Light structures; Real- time; Single fiber; Solid substrates; Thread grooves; Vertical fiber; Computational Mechanics; Modeling and Simulation; Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

Abstract :

[en] From microfluidics to fog-harvesting applications, tiny droplets are transported along various solid substrates including hairs, threads, grooves, and other light structures. Driven by gravity, a droplet sliding along a vertical fiber is a complex problem since it is losing volume and speed as it goes down. With the help of an original setup, we solve this problem by tracking in real-time droplet characteristics and dynamics. Single fibers as well as multiple fiber systems are studied to consider the presence of grooves. On both fibers and grooved threads, droplet speed and volume are seen to decay rapidly because the liquid entity is leaving a thin film behind. This film exerts a capillary force able to stop the droplet motion before it is completely drained. A model is proposed to capture the droplet dynamics. We evidence also that multiple vertical fibers are enhancing the droplet speed while simultaneously promoting increased liquid loss on grooves.

Research Center/Unit :

CESAM - Complex and Entangled Systems from Atoms to Materials - ULiège

Disciplines :

Physics

Author, co-author :

Léonard, Matteo ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de physique > Physique statistique

Van Hulle, Joséphine ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Complex and Entangled Systems from Atoms to Materials (CESAM)

Weyer, F. ; GRASP, Physics Department, University de Liège, Belgium

Terwagne, D. ; Frugal LAB, Physics Department, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium

Vandewalle, Nicolas ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de physique > Physique statistique

Language :

English

Title :

Droplets sliding on single and multiple vertical fibers

Publication date :

19 October 2023

Journal title :

Physical Review Fluids

ISSN :

2469-9918

eISSN :

2469-990X

Publisher :

American Physical Society

Volume :

Issue :

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://link.aps.org/article/10.1103/PhysRevFluids.8.103601

Funders :

F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique

Funding text :

This work has been partially supported by the FNRS-WISD Project No. X.3047.17. The authors thank M. Mélard for his precious help developing the experimental setup.

Data Set :

Droplets sliding on single and multiple vertical fibers

Available on ORBi :

since 03 January 2024

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