Generic path for droplet relaxation in microfluidic channels

P. T. Brun, Mathias Nagel, François Gallaire

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

In two-phase microfluidics, droplets often undergo deformations that drive them away from their circular equilibrium shape. Herein we concentrate on the relaxation of symmetrical deformations to a circle driven by surface tension effects, which are predominant at the micrometer scales. Working in a Hele-Shaw cell, we report a generic pathway for these types of relaxations. We simulate numerically the interface shape evolution and investigate it using linear stability analysis. Finally, we characterize this universal aspect of relaxation using a purely geometrical model that is tested in experiments.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number043009
JournalPhysical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
Volume88
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 22 2013
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
  • Statistics and Probability

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