title: Long time spreading of a microdroplet on a smooth solid surface.
abstract: The long time spreading of microdroplets on a smooth solid surface is studied experimentally. An empirical expression is obtained for the spreading area as a function of time showing a final area when spreading stops. The mean film thickness of this final area appears to be independent of the initial volume of the droplet and of the spreading dynamics. A theoretical model is developed to predict this final uniform film thickness, based on volume conservation and the principle of minimum energy. Good agreement is found between the theoretical and experimental results.
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0401, USA. rbrunner@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brunner
authors.forename: Izhak
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Etsion
authors.forename: Frank E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Talke