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Flow of thin films on patterned surfaces: controlling the instability.
1Department of Mathematical Sciences and Center for Applied Mathematics and Statistics, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA.
Summary
Simulations reveal how liquid films on patterned surfaces form predictable patterns. We also explore noise effects on wetting and suggest minimization strategies for controllable liquid film flows.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Surface science
- Nonlinear dynamics
Background:
- Gravity-driven flow of thin wetting liquid films is crucial in various applications.
- Previous studies on homogeneous substrates showed contact line instability forming finger-like structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extend simulations of liquid film flow to patterned surfaces.
- To investigate conditions for predictable pattern formation and controllable wetting.
- To analyze the impact of noise on these phenomena and propose mitigation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Fully nonlinear time-dependent simulations.
- Modeling of surface heterogeneities on substrates.
- Analysis of contact line stability and pattern formation.
- Introduction and analysis of random perturbations (noise).
Main Results:
- Patterned surfaces enable controllable wetting and predictable pattern formation.
- Surface properties dictate the wetting behavior.
- Noise sensitivity was analyzed, and methods to minimize its effects were identified.
Conclusions:
- Controllable wetting and pattern formation on patterned surfaces are achievable.
- Understanding and mitigating noise effects are key for reliable applications.
- The findings have implications for technologically relevant liquid film flows.