Buckling instability of a pinned droplet

ORAL

Abstract

Pinned droplets have been experimentally observed to develop a shape instability when squeezed against a non-wetting surface. Using a combination of analysis and simulation we show that this instability occurs regardless of the contact angle of the surface due to a geometric bifurcation past a critical conformation in a manner reminiscent of a liquid bridge between two columns. We characterize the transition of a droplet from symmetric to asymmetric conformations and show how this leads to a buckling of the bubble under a load.

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Authors

  • Gwynn Elfring

    • University of California San Diego

  • E. Lauga

    • UCSD
    • University of California San Diego
    • University of California, San Diego
    • Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Enginering, University of California San Diego
    • Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego
    • UCSD-MAE
    • University of California - San Diego