71th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics (November 18, 2018 — November 20, 2018)

V0012: Rivulet Instability as Thin Liquid Film Spreads on Rotating Surface

Authors

• Andrew Ylitalo, Caltech
• John Frostad, University of British Columbia
• Daniel Walls, Stanford University
• David Mui, Lam Research
• Gerald Fuller, Stanford University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/APS.DFD.2018.GFM.V0012

We have all seen a water jet spread smoothly over a flat surface when washing dishes. Spinning the surface, however, will cause the spreading film to ultimately break up into rivulets along its perimeter. By coating the spinning surface with "soapy water" (surfactant solutions), the rivulets can be controlled to form a variety of fascinating shapes and structures.