Simulations on micro-scale mutliphase flows
Abstract
A continuation of a previous project that targets to uncover fundamental phenomena behind the interaction of superhydrophobic surfaces with droplets and solid particles of size in the scale of micrometers. Two previous publications were focused on the spreading mechanics of droplets coalescing and interacting with superhydrophobic surfaces. The results suggested significant influence of the contact angle hysteresis to the phenomenon of droplets coalescing and jumping from such surfaces. To capture such complex mechanics a framework with the volume-of-fluid method was established with validating the accurate interface capturing and the spreading on a superhydrophobic surface. This project plans to use the established framework and expand the simulations with initial spreading of the microdroplet on solid particles of similar size, before the droplet interacts with the surface and causes self-propelling of the droplet-particle system.
