Modeling Leidenfrost Levitation of Soft Elastic Solids
Jack Binysh1, Indrajit Chakraborty2, Mykyta V Chubynsky2
1Department of Physics, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
The elastic Leidenfrost effect occurs when a vaporizable soft solid is lowered onto a hot surface. Evaporative flow couples to elastic deformation, giving spontaneous bouncing or steady-state floating. The effect embodies an unexplored interplay between thermodynamics, elasticity, and lubrication: despite being observed, its basic theoretical description remains a challenge. Here, we provide a theory of elastic Leidenfrost floating. As weight increases, a rigid solid sits closer to the hot surface. By contrast, we discover an elasticity-dominated regime where the heavier the solid, the higher it floats. This geometry-governed behavior is reminiscent of the dynamics of large liquid Leidenfrost drops. We show that this elastic regime is characterized by Hertzian behavior of the solid's underbelly and derive how the float height scales with materials parameters. Introducing a dimensionless elastic Leidenfrost number, we capture the crossover between rigid and Hertzian behavior. Our results provide theoretical underpinning for recent experiments, and point to the design of novel soft machines.
Related Concept Videos
Newtonian Fluid: Problem Solving
A velocity gradient forms within the fluid when a Newtonian fluid is placed between two parallel plates, with...
Rigid Body Equilibrium Problems - II
Consider two children sitting on a seesaw, which has negligible mass. The first child has a mass (m1) of 26 kg and sits at point A, which is 1.6 meters (r1) from the pivot point B; the second child has a mass (m2) of 32 kg and sits at point C. How far from the pivot point B should the second child sit (r2) to balance the seesaw?
Rigid Body Equilibrium Problems - I
Hydrostatic Pressure Force on a Curved Surface
Surface Tension of Fluid
Surface tension varies...
Typical Model Studies


