Talk 1: Hongyu Zhao

Thermocapillary Migration of Self-Rewetting Droplet on SLIPS

Abstract:

Surface tension adjustment is the key to droplet manipulation for applications such as microfluidics and medical diagnostics. The present study investigates the unique oscillatory behaviour of a microscale droplet of self-rewetting fluid, which has a non-monotonic dependence of surface tension on temperature, on a Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous Surface (SLIPS) with a thermal gradient.

Bio:

Hongyu Zhao is currently a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh in the Institute of Multiscale Thermofluids. He graduated with a Bachelor degree in Engineering Mechanics in 2017 from Tsinghua University in China. His research explores the motion of microscale droplets on special surfaces, such as microstructured surfaces and Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous Surfaces (SLIPSs). He currently focuses on the unique oscillation behaviour of self-rewetting droplet on SLIPS with a thermal gradient.

Talk 2: Saikat Datta

Acoustothermal nucleation in water nanofilm

Abstract:

Ultrasonic vibration of a surface can produce bubbles in the adjacent liquid. Apart from the acoustic parameter, the size of the vibrational system has a significant influence on the mechanism of nucleation owing to the varying relative predominance of the associated forces across different temporal and spatial scales. The present investigation aims to comprehend the mechanism involved in the vibration-induced phase change in a nano water film at high frequencies and unravel the consequences of the wetting nature of the adjacent surface on this acoustothermal nucleation.

Bio:

Saikat is currently a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Edinburgh. He obtained his Ph.D. in Mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India. His present research focuses on the effect of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) on nanoscale liquid films and droplets. His research interests involve different aspects of multiphase flow ranging from macro to nano scales with emphasis on flow dynamics with external force fields, condensation of steam bubbles and boiling.