Liquid metal droplets bouncing higher on thicker water layer

Yuhang Dai, Minfei Li, Bingqiang Ji, Xiong Wang, Siyan Yang, Peng Yu, Steven Wang (), Chonglei Hao () and Zuankai Wang ()
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Yuhang Dai: City University of Hong Kong
Minfei Li: City University of Hong Kong
Bingqiang Ji: City University of Hong Kong
Xiong Wang: City University of Hong Kong
Siyan Yang: City University of Hong Kong
Peng Yu: Southern University of Science and Technology
Steven Wang: City University of Hong Kong
Chonglei Hao: Harbin Institute of Technology
Zuankai Wang: City University of Hong Kong

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Liquid metal (LM) has gained increasing attention for a wide range of applications, such as flexible electronics, soft robots, and chip cooling devices, owing to its low melting temperature, good flexibility, and high electrical and thermal conductivity. In ambient conditions, LM is susceptible to the coverage of a thin oxide layer, resulting in unwanted adhesion with underlying substrates that undercuts its originally high mobility. Here, we discover an unusual phenomenon characterized by the complete rebound of LM droplets from the water layer with negligible adhesion. More counterintuitively, the restitution coefficient, defined as the ratio between the droplet velocities after and before impact, increases with water layer thickness. We reveal that the complete rebound of LM droplets originates from the trapping of a thinly low-viscosity water lubrication film that prevents droplet-solid contact with low viscous dissipation, and the restitution coefficient is modulated by the negative capillary pressure in the lubrication film as a result of the spontaneous spreading of water on the LM droplet. Our findings advance the fundamental understanding of complex fluids’ droplet dynamics and provide insights for fluid control.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39348-x

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