Numerical analysis of the shapes and energies of droplets on micropatterned substrates.
The shapes and energies of drops on substrates patterned with either holes or posts are computed using Surface Evolver software. The holes and posts are cylindrical in shape and distributed in a 6-fold symmetric pattern. The wetting conditions are such that the liquid does not fill the holes and the interface between the drop and the substrate is composite, i.e., partly solid/liquid and partly liquid/vapor. The sequence of stable drop configurations with increasing volume is analyzed and provides, in part, an explanation for superhydrophobic drop spreading.
Chatain
Dominique
D
Centre de Recherche en Matière Condensée et Nanosciences, Laboratoire Propre du CNRS associé aux Universités d'Aix-Marseille 2 et 3, CNRS, campus de Luminy, case 913, 13288 Marseille Cedex 9, France.
Lewis
Dan
D
Baland
Jean-Pierre
JP
Carter
W Craig
WC