Competing Bifurcations Determine Symmetry Breaking During Droplet Snaps on Smooth Patterned Surfaces.

ABSTRACT: The shape and stability of a droplet in contact with a solid surface is affected by the chemical composition and topography of the solid, and crucially, by the droplet's size. During a variation in size, most often observed during evaporation, droplets on smooth patterned surfaces can undergo sudden shape and position changes. Such changes, called snaps, are prompted by the surface pattern and arise from fold and pitchfork bifurcations which respectively cause symmetric and asymmetric motions. Yet, which type of snap is likely to be observed is an open fundamental question that has relevance in the rational design of surfaces for managing droplets. Here we show that the likelihood of observing symmetric or asymmetric snaps depends on the distance between fold and pitchfork bifurcation poin

SUBMITTER: Bisquert L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11580171 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature