SPP 2171 Spring Conference: Dynamic Wetting of Flexible, Adaptive, and Switchable Substrates

In 2011, Quere, Aizenberg, and co-workers independently introduced the innovative concept of infusing a solid surface with a thin oil film to eliminate contact-line pinning [1-3]. The invention of this new material class—lubricated surfaces—has since revolutionized the design of super-repellent surfaces, with important anti-fouling and heat transfer applications.
In this talk, I will explore two intriguing phenomena observed on these surfaces. First, I will discuss how condensing drops can exhibit spontaneous collective motion, "dancing" across the surface, a unique example of active matter system fuelled entirely by condensation [4]. This phenomenon can have important applications in harvesting atmospheric water [5]. Next, I will delve into the spontaneous occurrence of Coulomb explosions in evaporating drops [6, 7]. Together, these topics highlight the rich, interdisciplinary connections between droplet physics and broader fields in soft matter physics and electrohydrodynamics.

1. T-.S. Wong, …, J. Aizenberg, “Bioinspired self-repairing slippery surfaces with pressure-stable omniphobicity,” Nature (2011)
2. A. Lafuma, J. Aizenberg, "Slippery pre-suffused surfaces," Europhys. Lett. (2011)
3. D. Daniel, ..., J. Aizenberg, “Oleoplaning droplets on lubricated surfaces”, Nature Physics (2017)
4. M.Lin, ..., D. Daniel*, “Emergent collective motion of self-propelled condensate droplets”, Phys. Rev. Lett. (2024).
5. S. Ahmad, ..., D. Daniel, S. Yang, Q. Gan, “Lubricated surface in a vertical double-sided architecture for radiative cooling and atmospheric water harvesting,” Adv. Mater. (2024).
6. M. Lin, ..., D. Daniel*, “Evaporation-driven electrosprays in charged drops on lubricated surfaces”, Preprint (2024). DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.27778.90565
7. M. Lin, F. W. Wardani, D. Daniel, "Exploding drops on lubricated surfaces", DOI:10.1103/APS.DFD.2024.GFM.V2634768