Snap evaporation of droplets on smooth topographies

Gary G. Wells, Élfego Ruiz-Gutiérrez, Youen Le Lirzin, Anthony Nourry, Bethany V. Orme, Marc Pradas and Rodrigo Ledesma-Aguilar ()
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Gary G. Wells: Northumbria University
Élfego Ruiz-Gutiérrez: Northumbria University
Youen Le Lirzin: Northumbria University
Anthony Nourry: Northumbria University
Bethany V. Orme: Northumbria University
Marc Pradas: The Open University
Rodrigo Ledesma-Aguilar: Northumbria University

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Droplet evaporation on solid surfaces is important in many applications including printing, micro-patterning and cooling. While seemingly simple, the configuration of evaporating droplets on solids is difficult to predict and control. This is because evaporation typically proceeds as a “stick-slip” sequence—a combination of pinning and de-pinning events dominated by static friction or “pinning”, caused by microscopic surface roughness. Here we show how smooth, pinning-free, solid surfaces of non-planar topography promote a different process called snap evaporation. During snap evaporation a droplet follows a reproducible sequence of configurations, consisting of a quasi-static phase-change controlled by mass diffusion interrupted by out-of-equilibrium snaps. Snaps are triggered by bifurcations of the equilibrium droplet shape mediated by the underlying non-planar solid. Because the evolution of droplets during snap evaporation is controlled by a smooth topography, and not by surface roughness, our ideas can inspire programmable surfaces that manage liquids in heat- and mass-transfer applications.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03840-6

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