Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Film Control to Study Contributions of Waves to Droplet Impact Dynamics on Thin Flowing Liquid Films
Published on: August 18, 2018
Dynamic wetting of various liquids: Theoretical models, experiments, simulations and applications
Yichuan Zhang1, Mingming Guo2, David Seveno3
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Soft-Matter Material Chemistry and Function Manufacturing, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; Transfers, Interfaces and Processes, Université libre de Bruxelles, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium.
Abstract:
Dynamic wetting is a ubiquitous phenomenon and frequently observed in our daily life, as exemplified by the famous lotus effect. It is also an interfacial process of upmost importance involving many cutting-edge applications and has hence received significantly increasing academic and industrial attention for several decades. However, we are still far away to completely understand and predict wetting dynamics for a given system due to the complexity of this dynamic process. The physics of moving contact lines is mainly ascribed to the full coupling with the solid surface on which the liquids contact, the atmosphere surrounding the liquids, and the physico-chemical characteristics of the liquids involved (small-molecule liquids, metal liquids, polymer liquids, and simulated liquids). Therefore, to deepen the understanding and efficiently harness wetting dynamics, we propose to review the major advances in the available literature. After an introduction providing a concise and general background on dynamic wetting, the main theories are presented and critically compared. Next, the dynamic wetting of various liquids ranging from small-molecule liquids to simulated liquids are systematically summarized, in which the new physical concepts (such as surface segregation, contact line fluctuations, etc.) are particularly highlighted. Subsequently, the related emerging applications are briefly presented in this review. Finally, some tentative suggestions and challenges are proposed with the aim to guide future developments.
Related Concept Videos
Typical Model Studies
Surface Tension of Fluid
Surface tension varies...
Theories of Dissolution: The Danckwerts' Model and Interfacial Barrier Model
Modeling and Similitude
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...
The Fluid Mosaic Model

