Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity

Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity

Surface Tension
The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number...

Theories of Dissolution: The Danckwerts' Model and Interfacial Barrier Model

Theories of Dissolution: The Danckwerts' Model and Interfacial Barrier Model

Various dissolution theories provide insight into the factors that influence the dissolution rate. Danckwerts' Model suggests that turbulence, rather than a stagnant layer, characterizes the dissolution medium at the solid-liquid interface. In this model, the agitated solvent contains macroscopic packets that move to the interface via eddy currents, facilitating the absorption and delivery of the drug to the bulk solution. The regular replenishment of solvent packets maintains the concentration...

Surface Tension of Fluid

Surface Tension of Fluid

Surface tension is a fundamental property of fluids, occurring at the boundary between a liquid and a gas or between two immiscible liquids. This phenomenon arises from the cohesive forces between molecules at the fluid's surface, creating an effect similar to a stretched elastic membrane. Inside each fluid, molecules are equally attracted in all directions by neighboring molecules, but surface molecules experience a net inward force, resulting in surface tension.
Surface tension varies with...

Rapidly Varying Flow

Rapidly Varying Flow

Rapidly varying flow (RVF) in open channels is characterized by abrupt changes in flow depth over a short distance, with the rate of depth change relative to distance often approaching unity. These flows are inherently complex due to their transient and multi-dimensional nature, making exact analysis difficult. However, approximate solutions using simplified models provide valuable insights into their behavior.Key Features of Rapidly Varying FlowRVF is commonly observed in scenarios involving...

Surface Tension

Surface Tension

Surface tension is defined as the force per unit length (γ) acting along the surface of a liquid. It arises due to strong intermolecular forces of attraction. A molecule located inside the bulk of the liquid is surrounded by other molecules and experiences equal forces in all directions. However, a molecule at the surface experiences unbalanced forces because there are more neighboring molecules below than above. This creates a net inward force that pulls surface molecules toward the interior,...

Capillarity in Fluid

Capillarity in Fluid

Capillarity describes the movement of liquid in small spaces without external forces acting on it. The capillarity is driven by surface tension and adhesive interactions between the liquid and surrounding solid surfaces. This effect is often seen in narrow tubes, porous materials, and fine particles.
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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Self-assembly: From blueprints to breakthroughs.

The Journal of chemical physics·2026

Same author

Coupling between phase separation and geometry on a closed elastic curve: Free energy minimization and dynamics.

The Journal of chemical physics·2026

Same author

Observing the mechanism of delayed collapse in colloidal gels: Yielding while becoming stronger.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026

Same author

Cyclically sheared colloidal gels: structural change and delayed failure time.

Soft matter·2025

Same author

Active particles in moving traps: Minimum work protocols and information efficiency of work extraction.

Physical review. E·2025

Same author

Optimal Closed-Loop Control of Active Particles and a Minimal Information Engine.

Physical review letters·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature

Published on: November 26, 2019

Spontaneous Ratchet Currents and Transition Dynamics in Active Wetting.

Noah Grodzinski¹, Robert L Jack^1,2, Michael E Cates¹

¹Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Physical Review Letters

|July 10, 2026

Summary

Active wetting, where self-propelled particles meet barriers, shows both fully and partially wet states with a critical transition. A novel ratchet current emerges in the partially wet state, linking active and equilibrium wetting phenomena.

More Related Videos

Forming, Confining, and Observing Microtubule-Based Active Nematics

Forming, Confining, and Observing Microtubule-Based Active Nematics

Published on: January 13, 2023

Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets

Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets

Published on: May 15, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature

Published on: November 26, 2019

Forming, Confining, and Observing Microtubule-Based Active Nematics

Forming, Confining, and Observing Microtubule-Based Active Nematics

Published on: January 13, 2023

Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets

Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets

Published on: May 15, 2017

Area of Science:

Physics
Soft Matter Physics
Statistical Mechanics

Background:

Active wetting, involving self-propelled particles at interfaces, lacks clear links to equilibrium wetting.
Understanding active matter behavior near repulsive barriers is crucial for soft matter physics.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between active wetting and equilibrium wetting.
To explore the phase behavior and emergent phenomena in active matter systems at repulsive barriers.

Main Methods:

Utilized an exact, noiseless hydrodynamic framework for an active lattice gas model.
Simulations were performed in a slit geometry with periodic boundary conditions.

Main Results:

Identified both fully wet and partially wet states in the active matter system.
Observed a critical wetting transition between these states.
Demonstrated a spontaneous-symmetry-breaking ratchet current in the partially wet state, altering bulk densities.

Conclusions:

Established a direct connection between active wetting and equilibrium wetting phenomena.
Highlighted novel nonequilibrium consequences of particle activity, including a unique dynamical pathway for wetting transitions.