Elastohydrodynamic Dewetting of Thin Liquid Films: Elucidating Underwater Adhesion of Topographically Patterned Surfaces.

ABSTRACT: In underwater adhesion of a topographically patterned surface with a very soft material such as human skin, the elastic deformation can be large enough to achieve solid-on-solid contact not only on top of the hills but also in the valleys of the substrate topography. In this context, we have studied the dynamics of dewetting of a thin liquid film confined between a rigid, periodic micropillar array and a soft, elastic sphere. In our experiments, we observed two very distinct dewetting morphologies. For large ratios of array period to micropillar height and width, the dewetted areas tend to have a diamond-like shape and expand with a rate similar to a flat, unpatterned substrate. When the array period is reduced, the morphology of the dry spot becomes irregular and its expansion rate is sig

SUBMITTER: Chudak M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7558345 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature