Strong upstream flow characteristics in the formation of rivulets

In a fully formed rivulet, the flow profile across the total cross section is downward, as would be intuitively expected. However, prior to this stage being reached, a strong backflow capable of carrying particles up to 125 mm up the incline back to the source is shown to occur. Two phases are described prior to a fully formed rivulet being established. First, a forming rivulet, in which a bulbous drop head slides down a slope with a flow occurring in the wetted trail behind it. In this stage, a linear increase in backflow height is observed over time. Subsequently, a transient rivulet occurs, with the transition happening once the end of the inclined solid surface is reached. The backflow decreases through this phase in a stepwise manner, coinciding with fluid dripping off the surface. The findings here strongly challenge common assumptions made regarding cleaning, whereby fluid will transport particulate matter downhill, and has significant implications on irrigation applied to remove bacterial biofilms in clinical medicine.