Evolution of mesh-like liquid films in multi-port lifted Hele Shaw cells

Multi-port Lifted Hele-Shaw Cells (MLHSCs) can be used to efficiently generate liquid films with regular mesh-like patterns, which in turn may be used as templates for micro-fabrication of mesh-like structures. This work systematically characterizes the spatio-temporal evolution of Newtonian liquid films in MLHSCs using experiments and numerical simulations. The interior holes of the mesh tend to assume circular shapes for low Capillary number, while they approach a square-like shape at high Capillary number. Fingering instability is observed at high Capillary numbers and higher inter-hole spacing. Capillary number can also significantly affect the shape of peripheral and corner holes in the mesh. Numerical simulations, based on front tracking method, are used to characterize the stability of interfaces in a periodic hole array. Data from numerical simulations is used to construct and validate a computationally efficient low order model for predicting the evolution of mesh-like patterns formed in the film.(c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study systematically characterizes the spatiotemporal evolution of Newtonian liquid films in Multi-port Lifted Hele-Shaw Cells (MLHSCs) using experiments and numerical simulations. A computationally efficient low order model is constructed and validated for predicting the evolution of mesh-like patterns formed in the film.