Dynamics of Nanodroplets on Vibrating Surfaces
Pillai R, Borg MK, Reese JM, Langmuir 34 (39) :11898–11904 (2018).
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Funded by
EPSRC, RAEng

Abstract

We report the results of molecular dynamics investigations into the behavior of nanoscale water droplets on surfaces subjected to cyclic-frequency normal vibration. Our results show, for the first time, a range of vibration-induced phenomena, including the existence of the following different regimes: evaporation, droplet oscillation, and droplet lift-off. We also describe the effect of different surface wettabilities on evaporation. The outcomes of this work can be utilized in the design of future nanoengineered technologies that employ surface/bulk acoustic waves, such as water-based cooling systems for high-heat-generating processor chips, by tuning the vibration frequency and amplitude, as well as the surface wettability, to obtain the desired performance.