Thinning and rupture of liquid films by moving slot jets.

We present systematic experiments of the rupture and dewetting of thin films of a nonvolatile polar liquid on partially wetting substrates due to a moving slot jet, which impinges at normal incidence. The relative motion was provided by a custom-built spin coater with a bidirectionally accessible axis of rotation that enabled us to measure film thickness profiles in situ as a function of substrate velocity using dual-wavelength interference microscopy. On partially wetting polymeric substrates, dry spots form in liquid films with a residual thickness well below 1 μm.

Deformation and dewetting of thin liquid films induced by moving gas jets.

We study the deformation of thin liquid films subjected to impinging air-jets that are moving with respect to the substrate. The height profile and shape of the deformed liquid film is evaluated experimentally and numerically for different jet Reynolds numbers and translation speeds, for different liquids and substrate materials. Experiments and numerical results are in good agreement.

Rupture of thin liquid films induced by impinging air-jets.

Thin liquid films on partially wetting substrates are subjected to laminar axisymmetric air-jets impinging at normal incidence. We measured the time at which film rupture occurs and dewetting commences as a function of diameter and Reynolds number of the air-jet. We developed numerical models for the air flow as well as the height evolution of the thin liquid film.

Ultralow hysteresis superhydrophobic surfaces by excimer laser modification of SU-8.

We present a new and simple method to produce superhydrophobic surfaces with ultralow hysteresis. The method involves surface modification of SU-8 using an excimer laser treatment. The modified surface is coated with a hydrophobic plasma-polymerized hexafluoropropene layer.