Nucleation-enhanced condensation and fast shedding on self-lubricated silicone organogels.

A cross-linked silicone elastomer swollen in silicone oil releases at its surface a thin oil layer, whose thickness slowly increases with time as a consequence of surface energy minimization and residual crosslinking reactions within the polymer matrix. Here, we tune and characterize this oil layer thickness (between 0 and 5 μm) in order to show its quantitative influence on the physical mechanisms at play during water condensation: droplet nucleation and growth, coarsening by menisci-mediated coalescences, and droplet shedding by gravity. We show that continuous nucleation is at the origin of enhanced condensation.

Memory Re-Condensation.

This paper reveals a phenomenon of memory in dropwise condensation in open air. After a first condensation process and complete evaporation of the condensed droplets, further condensations proceed with droplets nucleating at the very places where former droplets evaporated. The origin of this phenomenon is due to the incorporation of airborne salts during the first droplet condensation and its further concentration during droplet evaporation.

Stable isotope variations of dew under three different climates.

As a supplementary or the only water source in dry regions, dew plays a critical role in the survival of organisms. The new hydrological tracer O-excess, with almost sole dependence on relative humidity, provides a new way to distinguish the evaporation processes and reconstruct the paleoclimate. Up to now, there is no published daily dew isotope record on δH, δO, δO, d-excess, and O-excess.

Tailoring silicon for dew water harvesting panels.

Dew water, mostly ignored until now, can provide clean freshwater resources, just by extracting the atmospheric vapor available in surrounding air. Inspired by silicon-based solar panels, the vapor can be harvested by a concept of water condensing panels. Efficient water harvesting requires not only a considerable yield but also a timely water removal from the surface since the very beginning of condensation to avoid the huge evaporation losses.

Erratum: Droplet pattern and condensation gradient around a humidity sink [Phys. Rev. E 89, 012402 (2014)].

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.89.