Pattern formation in thin film evolution equations for complex fluids

The description of thin layers of complex fluids like suspensions and solutions is often based on so-called thin film evolution equations which are derived from basic hydrodynamic equations by a long-wave approximation. We present a systematic approach to construct such models in a gradient dynamics formulation for a free energy accounting for wettability and capillarity. We propose extensions in this framework and apply it to dewetting and dip-coating problems. Using these models, we study pattern formation phenomena in Langmuir-Blodgett transfer experiments.