Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026

Surface Properties of Synthesized Nanoporous Carbon and Silica Matrices
Published on: March 27, 2019
Towards understanding elastocapillarity: comparing wetting of soft and rigid plates
1Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Elastocapillarity plays a significant role in the buoyancy and water repellency of soft objects floating on water. In this paper, we analyze the wetting behavior of an elastic and circular plate pressing a liquid surface. The geometry and stability of axisymmetric infinite liquid menisci are investigated, and their qualitative difference from two-dimensional planar menisci is revealed. By comparing the wetting processes of rigid and elastic circular plates under pressing, we show that flexibility benefits both the maximal depth and buoyancy a plate can reach. The results are helpful not only for understanding the living behavior of some aquatic creatures but also for the design of biomimetic soft microrobotics.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity
The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number...
Capillarity in Fluid
Surface tension is crucial to capillarity. It results from cohesive forces between liquid molecules at the liquid-air boundary, forming a skin that resists external forces. When the capillary tube...
Steady, Laminar Flow Between Parallel Plates
Fluid Pressure over Curved Plate of Constant Width
Fluid Pressure over Flat Plate of Variable Width
The pressure distribution on the plate can be calculated by determining the force that acts on a differential area strip of the plate. Thus, the magnitude of the force is equal to the...
Fluid Pressure over Flat Plate of Constant Width
The resultant force...

