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Complex transition pathways in boiling and cavitation
M Gallo1, F Occhioni1, F Magaletti1
1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy.
Journal of Fluid Mechanics
|November 3, 2025
Summary
Investigating vapour bubble nucleation in metastable liquids, this study reveals pathways deviate from classical theory. It introduces a new method to calculate nucleation times, highlighting surface wettability
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Thermodynamics
- Computational physics
Background:
- Classical nucleation theory often oversimplifies complex phase transitions.
- Understanding vapour bubble nucleation is crucial for various physical and chemical processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate vapour bubble nucleation pathways and times in metastable liquids.
- To develop a novel method for calculating nucleation times using hydrodynamics.
- To analyze the impact of surface wettability on heterogeneous nucleation.
Main Methods:
- Combining Navier-Stokes-Korteweg dynamics with rare event techniques.
- Utilizing long-wavelength density fluctuations as a key nucleation driver.
- Inferring diffusion coefficients from hydrodynamic data.
Main Results:
- Nucleation pathways deviate from classical predictions; bubble volume is insufficient as a reaction coordinate.
- Surface wettability significantly impacts heterogeneous nucleation, with homogeneous nucleation observed on moderately hydrophilic surfaces.
- Hydrophobic surfaces accelerate the spinodal decomposition process.
Conclusions:
- The proposed method accurately predicts nucleation times and reveals non-trivial effects of surface properties.
- The approach offers a general framework for studying complex nucleation phenomena in various fluids and geometries.
- Findings challenge classical theories and align with atomistic simulation results.
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