Preprint article · Journal article
Sustaining dry surfaces under water
Northwestern University1
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich2
Arizona State University3
University of Illinois at Chicago4
Massachusetts Institute of Technology5
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark6
Fluid Mechanics, Coastal and Maritime Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark7
Rough surfaces immersed under water remain practically dry if the liquid-solid contact is on roughness peaks, while the roughness valleys are filled with gas. Mechanisms that prevent water from invading the valleys are well studied. However, to remain practically dry under water, additional mechanisms need consideration.
This is because trapped gas (e.g. air) in the roughness valleys can dissolve into the water pool, leading to invasion. Additionally, water vapor can also occupy the roughness valleys of immersed surfaces. If water vapor condenses, that too leads to invasion. These effects have not been investigated, and are critically important to maintain surfaces dry under water.In this work, we identify the critical roughness scale, below which it is possible to sustain the vapor phase of water and/or trapped gases in roughness valleys – thus keeping the immersed surface dry.
Theoretical predictions are consistent with molecular dynamics simulations and experiments.
Language: | English |
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Publisher: | Nature Publishing Group |
Year: | 2015 |
Pages: | 12311 |
ISSN: | 20452322 |
Types: | Preprint article and Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1038/srep12311 |
ORCIDs: | Walther, Jens Honore |