A research paper authored by Department of Mechanical Engineering and UNAM researchers appeared as the cover article for the April 14 issue of Langmuir, a leading journal in the field of the study of surfaces and interfaces. The article introduces a novel approach to describing droplet behavior that substantially enhances understanding of the motion of droplets on surfaces. The research team was led by Asst. Prof. Yegan Erdem Ercan and Asst. Prof. Ali Javili.
Understanding droplet wetting is important in the engineering of water-repellent surfaces for use in both industry and daily life. Droplets can be manipulated on superhydrophobic, textured surfaces by applying asymmetric surface energy gradients. The modeling of this behavior is complicated, as droplet motion is nonlinear and shows parametric resonance behavior. The Bilkent team demonstrated a new approach for modeling and understanding this motion by using the well-known double pendulum model.
This approach may provide guidance for understanding nonlinear droplet behavior and offer a new perspective for consideration in the design of functional surfaces.
More information on this work can be found at https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c03610