Predicting the drop size passing through a superhydrophobic orifice

What is it about?

In this article, a theoretical model for predicting droplet size passing through a superhydrophobic orifice is developed based on the geometrical characteristics of the droplet and the orifice, surface wettability, dynamic contact angles and the balance of forces. The theoretical model is verified with experimentally measured droplet diameters passing through a circular opening in a thin copper foil with a superhydrophobic surface.

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Photo by Raimond Klavins on Unsplash

Photo by Raimond Klavins on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The development of the model provides a previously lacking understanding of the droplet passage through a superhydrophobic orifice. The passage of a droplet through an opening with a superhydrophobic surface has already been utilized in several applications, such as spray formation, gravity-driven separation of emulsion and water purification. The theoretical understanding of the phenomena provided by this article can be used to improve the existing methods and serve as a fundament for further research on static and dynamic droplet size separation.