Dripping faucet dynamics in a nonuniform electric field

Area of Science:

• Fluid dynamics
• Nonlinear dynamics
• Electromagnetism

Background:

• Bifurcation phenomena in fluid systems are complex and sensitive to control parameters.
• Understanding how external fields influence fluid behavior is crucial for various applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of an applied electrical field on the bifurcation dynamics of pendant water drops.
• To analyze how changes in electrical voltage alter drop mass and formation patterns.

Main Methods:

• Experimental setup involving a pendant water column subjected to controlled faucet opening and electrical voltage.
• Measurement of bifurcation diagrams under varying electrical field gradients.
• Analysis of drop mass and flow rate in response to electrical potential.

Main Results:

• Observed that increasing electrical voltage decreased drop mass while maintaining constant flow rate.
• Identified that the electrical field gradient altered the effective surface tension of the water column.
• Found similarities in bifurcations for specific parameter ranges ($$ and $$), but distinct evolutions otherwise.

Conclusions:

• Applied electrical fields provide a novel method to control pendant drop formation and mass.
• Electrical polarization of the water column significantly impacts surface tension and bifurcation dynamics.
• The study demonstrates the complex interplay between electrical parameters and fluid instabilities.