arXiv subjects

Ciro Semprebon

Publications and source records attributed to Ciro Semprebon.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

Superhydrophobicity of Auxetic Metamaterials

Superhydrophobic materials are often inspired by nature, whereas metamaterials are engineered to have properties not usually found in naturally occurring materials. In both cases, the key that unlocks their unique properties is structure. Here, we show that a negative Poisson's ratio (auxetic) mechanical metamaterial is capable of transforming into a unique type of superhydrophobic material. When stretched its surface has the counterintuitive property that it also expands in the orthogonal lateral direction. We model the change in the solid surface fraction as strain is applied and show it decreases as the space between solid elements of the auxetic lattice expands. This results in a unique dependence of the superhydrophobicity on strain. We construct experimental models illustrating the relationship between different states of strain and superhydrophobicity as the lattice structure transitions from an auxetic to a conventional (positive Poisson's ratio) one. The principles we have discovered offer a new approach to designing superhydrophobic materials for self-cleaning surfaces, droplet transportation, droplet encapsulation and oil-water separation.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2022

Modelling the Dynamics of Partially Wetting Droplets on Fibres

We simulate gravity driven dynamics of partially wetting droplets moving along a fibre using the lattice Boltzmann method. For the so-called clamshell morphology, we find three possible dynamic regimes upon varying the droplet Bond number and the fibre radius: compact droplet, droplet breakup and droplet oscillation. For small Bond numbers, in the compact droplet regime, the droplet reaches a steady state and its velocity scales linearly with the driving body force. A similar scaling law can also be observed for the barrel morphology. For higher Bond numbers, in the droplet breakup regime, satellite droplets are formed trailing the initial moving droplet. We find such droplet satellite formation is easier with increasing fibre curvature (smaller fibre radius). Finally, in the droplet oscillation regime, favoured in the mid-range of fibre radius, the droplet shape periodically extends and contracts along the fibre.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2021

Apparent Contact Angle of Droplets on Liquid Infused Surfaces: Geometric Interpretation

We theoretically investigate the apparent contact angle of droplets on liquid infused surfaces as a function of the relative size of the wetting ridge and the deposited droplet. We provide an intuitive geometrical interpretation whereby the variation in the apparent contact angle is due to the rotation of the Neumann triangle. We also derive linear and quadratic corrections to the apparent contact angle as power series expansion in terms of pressure differences between the lubricant, droplet and gas phases. These expressions are much simpler and more compact compared to those previously derived by Semprebon et al. [Soft Matter, 2017, 13, 101-110].

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2020

Capillary Bridges on Liquid Infused Surfaces

We numerically study two-component capillary bridges formed when a liquid droplet is placed in between two liquid infused surfaces (LIS). In contrast to commonly studied one-component capillary bridges on non-infused solid surfaces, two-component liquid bridges can exhibit a range of different morphologies where the liquid droplet is directly in contact with two, one or none of the LIS substrates. In addition, the capillary bridges may lose stability when compressed due to the envelopment of the droplet by the lubricant. We also characterise the capillary force, maximum separation and effective spring force, and find they are influenced by the shape and size of the lubricant ridge. Importantly, these can be tuned to increase the effective capillary adhesion strength by manipulating the lubricant pressure, Neumann angle, and wetting contact angles. As such, LIS are not only "slippery" parallel to the surface, but they are also "sticky" perpendicular to the surface.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2020

Modelling double emulsion formation in planar flow-focusing microchannels

Double emulsion formation in a hierarchical flow-focusing channel is systematically investigated using a free energy ternary lattice Boltzmann model. A three dimensional formation regime diagram is constructed based on the capillary numbers of the inner ($Ca_i$), middle ($Ca_m$) and outer ($Ca_o$) phase fluids. The results show that the formation diagram can be classified into periodic two-step region, periodic one-step region, and non-periodic region. By varying $Ca_i$ and $Ca_m$ in the two-step formation region, different morphologies are obtained, including the regular double emulsions, decussate regimes with one or two alternate empty droplets, and structures with multiple inner droplets contained in the continuous middle phase thread. Bidisperse behaviors are also frequently encountered in the two-step formation region. In the periodic one-step formation region, scaling laws are proposed for the double emulsion size and for the size ratio between the inner droplet and the overall double emulsion. Furthermore, we show that the interfacial tension ratio can greatly change the morphologies of the obtained emulsion droplets, and the channel geometry plays an important role in changing the formation regimes and the double emulsion sizes. In particular, narrowing the side inlets or the distance between the two side inlets promotes the conversion from the two-step formation regime to the one-step formation regime.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2019

Modelling ternary fluids in contact with elastic membranes

We present a thermodynamically consistent model of a ternary fluid interacting with elastic membranes. Following a free-energy modelling approach and taking into account the thermodynamics laws, we derive the equations governing the ternary fluid flow and dynamics of the membranes. We also provide the numerical framework for simulating such fluid-structure interaction problems. It is based on the lattice Boltzmann method, employed for resolving the evolution equations of the ternary fluid in an Eulerian description, coupled to the immersed boundary method, allowing for the membrane equations of motion to be solved in a Lagrangian system. The configuration of an elastic capsule placed at a fluid-fluid interface is considered for validation purposes. Systematic simulations are performed for a detailed comparison with reference numerical results obtained by Surface Evolver, and the Galilean invariance of the proposed model is also proven. The proposed approach is versatile, and a wide range of geometries can be simulated. To demonstrate this, the problem of a capillary bridge formed between two deformable capsules is investigated here.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2019

Wetting boundaries for ternary high density ratio Lattice Boltzmann Method

We extend a recently proposed ternary free energy lattice Boltzmann model with high density contrast, by incorporating wetting boundaries at solid walls. The approaches are based on forcing and geometric schemes, with implementations optimised for ternary (and more generally higher order multicomponent) models. Advantages and disadvantages of each method are addressed by performing both static and dynamic tests, including the capillary filling dynamics of a liquid displacing the gas phase, and the self-propelled motion of a train of drops. Furthermore, we measure dynamic angles and show that the slip length critically depends on the equilibrium value of the contact angles, and whether it belongs to liquid-liquid or liquid-gas interfaces. These results validate the model capabilities of simulating complex ternary fluid dynamic problems near solid boundaries, for example drop impact solid substrates covered by a lubricant layer.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2018

Drop dynamics on Liquid Infused Surfaces: The Role of the Wetting Ridge

We employ a free energy lattice Boltzmann method to study the dynamics of a ternary fluid system consisting of a liquid drop driven by a body force across a regularly textured substrate, infused by a lubricating liquid. We focus on the case of partial wetting lubricants and observe a rich interplay between contact line pinning and viscous dissipation at the lubricant ridge, which become dominant at large and small apparent angles respectively. Our numerical investigations further demonstrate that the relative importance of viscous dissipation at the lubricant ridge depends on the drop to lubricant viscosity ratio, as well as on the shape of the wetting ridge.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2018

Ternary free-energy entropic lattice Boltzmann model with high density ratio

A rigorous free energy model for ternary fluid flows with density ratio up to of order $O(10^3)$ is presented and implemented using the entropic lattice Boltzmann scheme. The model is thermodynamically consistent and allows a broad range of surface tension ratios, covering both partial wetting states where Neumann triangles are formed, and full wetting states where complete encapsulation of one of fluid components is observed. We further demonstrate that we can capture the bouncing, adhesive and insertive regimes for the binary collisions between immiscible droplets suspended in air. Our approach opens up a vast range of multiphase flow applications involving one gas and several liquid components.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2017

Statics and dynamics of liquid barrels in wedge geometries

We present a theoretical study of the statics and dynamics of a partially wetting liquid droplet, of equilibrium contact angle $θ_{\rm e}$, confined in a solid wedge geometry of opening angle $β$. We focus on a mostly non-wetting regime, given by the condition $θ_{\rm e} - β> 90^\circ$, where the droplet forms a liquid barrel -- a closed shape of positive mean curvature. Using a quasi-equilibrium assumption for the shape of the liquid-gas interface, we compute the surface energy landscapes experienced by the liquid upon translations along the symmetry plane of the wedge. Close to equilibrium, our model is in good agreement with numerical calculations of the surface energy minimisation subject to a constrained position of the centre of mass of the liquid. Beyond the statics, we put forward a Lagrangian description for the droplet dynamics. We focus on the the over-damped limit, where the driving capillary force is balanced by the frictional forces arising from the bulk hydrodynamics, the corner flow near the contact lines and the contact line friction. Our results provide a theoretical framework to describe the motion of partially wetting liquids in confinement, and can be used to gain further understanding on the relative importance of dissipative processes that span from microscopic to macroscopic length scales.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2016

Apparent Contact Angle and Contact Angle Hysteresis on Liquid Infused Surfaces

We theoretically investigate the apparent contact angle and contact angle hysteresis of a droplet placed on a liquid infused surface. We show that the apparent contact angle is not uniquely defined by material parameters, but also has a strong dependence on the relative size between the droplet and its surrounding wetting ridge formed by the infusing liquid. We derive a closed form expression for the contact angle in the limit of vanishing wetting ridge, and compute the correction for small but finite ridge, which corresponds to an effective line tension term. We also predict contact angle hysteresis on liquid infused surfaces generated by the pinning of the contact lines by the surface corrugations. Our analytical expressions for both the apparent contact angle and contact angle hysteresis can be interpreted as `weighted sums' between the contact angles of the infusing liquid relative to the droplet and surrounding gas phases, where the weighting coefficients are given by ratios of the fluid surface tensions.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2016

Deviation of viscous drops at chemical steps

We present systematic wetting experiments and numerical simulations of gravity driven liquid drops sliding on a plane substrate decorated with a linear chemical step. Surprisingly, the optimal direction to observe crossing is not the one perpendicular to the step, but a finite angle that depends on the material parameters. We computed the landscapes of the force acting on the drop by means of a contact line mobility model showing that contact angle hysteresis dominates the dynamics at the step and determines whether the drop passes onto the lower substrate. This analysis is very well supported by the experimental dynamic phase diagram in terms of pinning, crossing, sliding and sliding followed by pinning.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2016

Filling transitions on rough surfaces: inadequacy of Gaussian surface models

We present numerical studies of wetting on various topographic substrates, including random topographies. We find good agreement with recent predictions based on an analytical interface-displacement-type theory \cite{Herminghaus2012, Herminghaus2012a}. The phase diagrams are qualitatively as predicted, but differently in this study the critical points are found to lie within the physical parameter range (i.e., at positive contact angle) in all cases studied. Notably, it is corroborated that Gaussian random surfaces behave qualitatively different from all non-Gaussian topographies investigated, exhibiting a qualitatively different phase diagram. This shows that Gaussian random surfaces must be used with great care in the context of wetting phenomena.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2016

Ternary Free Energy Lattice Boltzmann Model with Tunable Surface Tensions and Contact Angles

We present a new ternary free energy lattice Boltzmann model. The distinguishing feature of our model is that we are able to analytically derive and independently vary all fluid-fluid surface tensions and the solid surface contact angles. We carry out a number of benchmark tests: (i) double emulsions and liquid lenses to validate the surface tensions, (ii) ternary fluids in contact with a square well to compare the contact angles against analytical predictions, and (iii) ternary phase separation to verify that the multicomponent fluid dynamics is accurately captured. Additionally we also describe how the model here presented here can be extended to include an arbitrary number of fluid components.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2015

Liquid morphologies and capillary forces between three spherical beads

Equilibrium shapes of coalesced pendular bridges in a static assembly of spherical beads are computed by numerical minimization of the interfacial energy. Our present study focuses on generic bead configurations involving three beads, one of which is in contact to the two others while there is a gap of variable size between the latter. In agreement with previous experimental studies, we find interfacial `trimer' morphologies consisting of three coalesced pendular bridges, and `dimers' of two coalesced bridges. In a certain range of the gap opening we observe a bistability between the dimer and trimer morphology during shrinking and growth. The magnitude of the corresponding capillary forces in presence of a trimer or dimer depends, besides the gap opening only on the volume or Laplace pressure of liquid. For a given Laplace pressure, the capillary forces in presence of a trimer are slightly larger than the force of a single bridges at the same gap opening, which could explain the shallow maximum and plateau of the capillary cohesion of a wetting liquid for saturations in the funicular regime.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2015

The Role of Contact Angle Hysteresis for Fluid Transport in Wet Granular Matter

The stability of sand castles is determined by the structure of wet granulates. Experimental data about the size distribution of fluid pockets are ambiguous about their origin. We discovered that contact angle hysteresis plays a fundamental role in the equilibrium distribution of bridge volumes, and not geometrical disorder as commonly conjectured, which has substantial consequences on the mechanical properties of wet granular beds, including a history dependent rheology and lowered strength. Our findings are obtained using a novel model where the Laplace pressures, bridge volumes and contact angles are dynamical variables associated to the contact points. While accounting for contact line pinning, we track the temporal evolution of each bridge. We observe a cross-over to a power-law decay of the variance of capillary pressures at late times and a saturation of the variance of bridge volumes to a finite value connected to contact line pinning. Large scale simulations of liquid transport in the bridge network reveal that the equilibration dynamics at early times is well described by a mean field model. The spread of final bridge volumes can be directly related to the magnitude of contact angle hysteresis.

cond-mat.soft↗