Mixing droplets in the wind

Drops on fibers in crossflows have complex dynamics. At an intermediate Reynolds number, the imposed crossflow leads to a wake asymmetry which induces translation along the fiber. As the drops move, they deposit thin films on the fiber. These thin films can be picked up by other drops, representing a possible mechanism for mixing. Using fluorescent dye and a laser light sheet, we image mixing in the drops. We compare the mixing with other mixing flows and aim to rationalize it with analytical and numerical models for the internal flows.