Droplets Sliding Down Partially Wetted (Non-Superhydrophobic) Surfaces: A Review
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Droplets sliding down a partially wetted surface are a ubiquitous phenomenon in nature and everyday life. Despite its apparent simplicity, it hinders complex intricacies for theoretical and numerical descriptions matching the experimental observations, even for the simplest case of a drop sliding down a homogeneous surface. A key aspect to be considered is the distribution of contact angles along the droplet perimeter, which can be challenging to include in the theoretical/numerical analysis. The scenario can become more complex when considering geometrically or chemically patterned surfaces or complex fluids. Indeed, these aspects can provide strategies to passively control the droplet motion in terms of velocity or direction. This review gathers the state of the art of experimental, numerical, and theoretical research about droplets made of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids sliding down homogeneous, chemically heterogeneous, or geometrically patterned surfaces.
Source: Liquids
Author: Silvia Varagnolo
Institution: The Open University
Language: English
Subfield: Surfaces, Coatings and Films
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,207
OpenAlex ID: W4415815309