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Updated: May 20, 2025

Microtensiometer for Confocal Microscopy Visualization of Dynamic Interfaces
Published on: September 9, 2022
Direct Measurement of the Viscocapillary Lift Force near a Liquid Interface
Hao Zhang1, Zaicheng Zhang1,2, Aditya Jha1
1LOMA, Université de Bordeaux, & CNRS, UMR 5798, F-33400 Talence, France.
Abstract:
Lift force of viscous origin is widespread across disciplines, from mechanics to biology. Here, we present the first direct measurement of the lift force acting on a particle moving in a viscous fluid along the liquid interface that separates two liquids. The force arises from the coupling between the viscous flow induced by the particle motion and the capillary deformation of the interface. The measurements show that the lift force increases as the distance between the sphere and the interface decreases, reaching saturation at small distances. The experimental results are in good agreement with the model and numerical calculation developed within the framework of the soft lubrication theory.
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