title: Interface dynamics under nonequilibrium conditions: from a self-propelled droplet to dynamic pattern evolution.
abstract: In this article, we describe the instability of a contact line under nonequilibrium conditions mainly based on the results of our recent studies. Two experimental examples are presented: the self-propelled motion of a liquid droplet and spontaneous dynamic pattern formation. For the self-propelled motion of a droplet, we introduce an experiment in which a droplet of aniline sitting on an aqueous layer moves spontaneously at an air-water interface. The spontaneous symmetry breaking of Marangoni-driven spreading causes regular motion. In a circular Petri dish, the droplet exhibits either beeline motion or circular motion. On the other hand, we show the emergence of a dynamic labyrinthine pattern caused by dewetting of a metastable thin film from the air-water interface. The contact line between the organic phase and the aqueous phase forms a unique spatio-temporal pattern characterized as a dynamic labyrinth. Motion of the contact line is controlled by diffusion processes. We propose a theoretical model to interpret essential aspects of the observed dynamic behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Japan. yongjunchen@ni.aist.go.jp
authors.forename: Y-J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D000814:Aniline Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D001703:Biophysics / Q000379:methods; D004058:Diffusion; D007700:Kinetics; D008422:Materials Testing; D009038:Motion; D009068:Movement; D013499:Surface Properties; D013500:Surface Tension; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000814:Aniline Compounds; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014867:Water; C023650:aniline