Dynamics of a drop at a fluid interface under shear.
We analyze the dynamics of a two-dimensional drop lying on a fluid interface, sometimes called a liquid lens, subjected to simple shear flow. The three fluids, the drop and the two external fluids, meet at a triple point (or a triple line in three dimensions). A requirement for steady drop shapes is that the triple points are stationary. This leads to a flow topology different than that of a freely suspended drop. Results are substantiated with numerical results using a level set method for interface evolution and treatment of triple points. Possible implications for new drop instabilities are also discussed.
Smith
K A
KA
Department of Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
Ottino
J M
JM
de la Cruz
M Olvera
MO