Buckling instability of a pinned droplet

ORAL

Abstract

Pinned droplets have been experimentally observed to develop a shape instability when squeezed against a non-wetting surface. Using a combination of analysis and simulation we show that this instability occurs regardless of the contact angle of the surface due to a geometric bifurcation past a critical conformation in a manner reminiscent of a liquid bridge between two columns. We characterize the transition of a droplet from symmetric to asymmetric conformations and show how this leads to a buckling of the bubble under a load.

–

Authors

  • Gwynn Elfring

    University of California San Diego

  • E. Lauga

    UCSD, University of California San Diego, University of California, San Diego, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Enginering, University of California San Diego, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, UCSD-MAE, University of California - San Diego