Computation of Equilibrium Bilayer Monodisperse Foam Structures Using the Surface Evolver

Abstract

Abstract The Surface Evolver is used to minimize the surface energy of two ordered structures for bilayer monodisperse wet foams with arbitrary liquid fraction. Previous researchers have found a reversible structural transition in bilayer monodisperse foams by changing the foam liquid fraction in a physical experiment. We simulated this phenomenon by analyzing the interfacial energy of two bilayer foam systems with varying liquid fractions. The calculations reported here show that the Tóth structure is energy minimizing when the liquid fraction is below a critical value, around 2.26%, above which point the honeycomb structure becomes preferable, although the Tóth structure remains metastable.