Unraveling the role of vaporization momentum in self-jumping dynamics of freezing supercooled droplets at reduced pressures

Xiao Yan (), Samuel C. Y. Au, Sui Cheong Chan, Ying Lung Chan, Ngai Chun Leung, Wa Yat Wu, Dixon T. Sin, Guanlei Zhao, Casper H. Y. Chung, Mei Mei, Yinchuang Yang, Huihe Qiu and Shuhuai Yao ()
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Xiao Yan: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Samuel C. Y. Au: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Sui Cheong Chan: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Ying Lung Chan: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Ngai Chun Leung: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Wa Yat Wu: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Dixon T. Sin: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Guanlei Zhao: Tsinghua University
Casper H. Y. Chung: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Mei Mei: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Yinchuang Yang: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Huihe Qiu: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Shuhuai Yao: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Supercooling of water complicates phase change dynamics, the understanding of which remains limited yet vital to energy-related and aerospace processes. Here, we investigate the freezing and jumping dynamics of supercooled water droplets on superhydrophobic surfaces, induced by a remarkable vaporization momentum, in a low-pressure environment. The vaporization momentum arises from the vaporization at droplet’s free surface, progressed and intensified by recalescence, subsequently inducing droplet compression and finally self-jumping. By incorporating liquid-gas-solid phase changes involving vaporization, freezing recalescence, and liquid-solid interactions, we resolve the vaporization momentum and droplet dynamics, revealing a size-scaled jumping velocity and a nucleation-governed jumping direction. A droplet-size-defined regime map is established, distinguishing the vaporization-momentum-dominated self-jumping from evaporative drying and overpressure-initiated levitation, all induced by depressurization and vaporization. Our findings illuminate the role of supercooling and low-pressure mediated phase change in shaping fluid transport dynamics, with implications for passive anti-icing, advanced cooling, and climate physics.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45928-2

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