The effect of microstructure on self-propelled droplet jumping

Abstract

The coalescence-induced droplet jumping on superhydrophobic surfaces has attracted considerable attention over the past several years. Most of the studies on droplet jumping mainly focus the droplet jumping on almost flat surfaces or ignore the effect of the microstructure. However, the microstructure often exists on superhydrophobic surfaces, and this effect remains little noticed and poorly understood. In this work, a simulation is carried out to investigate the effect of microstructure on droplet jumping. The microstructure with a similar scale to the jumping droplet on superhydrophobic will affect the jumping direction. The microstructure will improve the jumping velocity and change the jumping direction of the droplet. This work will provide effective guidelines for the design of functional SHSs with controlled and enhanced droplet jumping for a wide range of industrial applications.