Reducing droplet contact time and area by craterlike surface structure

Reduction in contact time and area between the rebounding droplet and the solid surface has attracted great attention due to the potential applications in many fields, such as self-cleaning and anti-icing. In this paper, we provide an alternative strategy for designing a functional surface, craterlike structure, with which the interaction parameter (the integration of contact area over time) can be reduced by over 75%. Systematic investigations on the parameters of craterlike structure, including its diameter, depth, and landing location, have been conducted by a particle-based numerical method, many-body dissipative particle dynamics. This work could be helpful for the design and preparation technology of functional surfaces.

Automated summary

This paper presents an alternative strategy for reducing the interaction parameter between rebounding droplets and solid surfaces by designing craterlike structures, which can decrease the contact time and area by over 75%. Systematic investigations on the parameters of craterlike structures using a particle-based numerical method offer a new approach for the design and preparation technology of functional surfaces.