Hydrodynamic analysis of the energy dissipation of droplets on vibrating superhydrophobic surfaces

Abstract

In this paper, experimental and numerical methods are presented to describe the hydrodynamic process of the vibration-induced detachment of a droplet from a superhydrophobic surface. We conduct the investigation of the droplet dynamics under various vibration and impact parameters, from an energy conversion perspective. In particular, the energy dissipation that occurs following the droplet impact is analyzed quantitatively. We identify three viewpoints on vibration-induced droplets. Firstly, the phase angle is the dominant factor in characterizing the droplet morphology evolution and energy dissipation on a vibrating surface. The law governing the initial phase angle is affected by the vibration frequency, while the intensity is affected by the vibration amplitude. Secondly, the energy dissipation is positively correlated with the maximum spreading diameter and impact velocity. A larger initial diameter tends to produce a longer contact time. Finally, the central jet formation depends heavily on the upward velocity of the concave liquid, under the peculiar morphology of a vibration-induced droplet. For all these effects, up to 60% of the total energy is squandered during impact, while the surface energy remains almost constant. Much of the droplet's kinetic energy is lost in resisting the viscous force of the substrate.