Self-Propelled Droplet Removal from Hydrophobic Fiber-Based Coalescers.

Published

Journal Article

Fiber-based coalescers are widely used to accumulate droplets from aerosols and emulsions, where the accumulated droplets are typically removed by gravity or shear. This Letter reports self-propelled removal of drops from a hydrophobic fiber, where the surface energy released upon drop coalescence overcomes the drop-fiber adhesion, producing spontaneous departure that would not occur on a flat substrate of the same contact angle. The self-removal takes place above a threshold drop-to-fiber radius ratio, and the departure speed is close to the capillary-inertial velocity at large radius ratios.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Zhang, K; Liu, F; Williams, AJ; Qu, X; Feng, JJ; Chen, C-H

Published Date

  • August 14, 2015

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 115 / 7

Start / End Page

  • 074502 -

PubMed ID

  • 26317724

Pubmed Central ID

  • 26317724

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1079-7114

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0031-9007

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1103/physrevlett.115.074502

Language

  • eng