A finite-element method model for droplets moving down a hydrophobic surface

We set up a 2D computational Finite-Element Method (FEM) model describing the initial descent of a droplet down an inclined hydrophobic substrate. We solve the full Navier-Stokes equations inside the drop domain, and use the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian method to keep track of the droplet surface....

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Published inThe European physical journal. E, Soft matter and biological physics Vol. 37; no. 7; p. 21
Main Authors Wind-Willassen, Øistein, Sørensen, Mads Peter
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.07.2014
EDP Sciences
Subjects
Biological and Medical Physics
Biophysics
Chemistry
Colloidal state and disperse state
Complex Fluids and Microfluidics
Complex Systems
Exact sciences and technology
General and physical chemistry
Nanotechnology
Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Polymer Sciences
Regular Article
Soft and Granular Matter
Solid-liquid interface
Surface physical chemistry
Surfaces and Interfaces
Thin Films
Soft Matter: Interfacial Phenomena and Nanostructured Surfaces
Finite element method
Surface properties
Liquid solid interface
Models
Hydrophobicity
Droplet
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Summary:We set up a 2D computational Finite-Element Method (FEM) model describing the initial descent of a droplet down an inclined hydrophobic substrate. We solve the full Navier-Stokes equations inside the drop domain, and use the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian method to keep track of the droplet surface. The contact angle is included by using the Frennet-Serret equations. We investigate the behaviour of the drop velocity as a function of the slip length and compare with experimental results. Furthermore, we quantify the energy associated with centre-of-mass translation and internal fluid motion, and we also compute the local dissipation of energy inside the drop. The model predicts trajectories for tracer particles deposited inside the drop, and satisfactorily describes the sliding motion of steadily accelerating droplets. The model can be used for determining a characteristic slip parameter, associated with slip lengths and drag reduction for hydrophobic surfaces. Graphical abstract
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ISSN:1292-8941
1292-895X
DOI:10.1140/epje/i2014-14065-6