https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2011-11038-3
Interface dynamics under nonequilibrium conditions: From a self-propelled droplet to dynamic pattern evolution
1
Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Oiwake-cho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
2
Spatio-Temporal Order Project, ICORP, JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency), Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
3
Nanosystems Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi,
Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
a e-mail: rsabater@die.upv.es
b e-mail: yoshikaw@scphys.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Received:
6
October
2010
Accepted:
1
February
2011
Published online:
18
April
2011
In this article, we describe the instability of a contact line under nonequilibrium conditions mainly based on the results of our recent studies. Two experimental examples are presented: the selfpropelled motion of a liquid droplet and spontaneous dynamic pattern formation. For the self-propelled motion of a droplet, we introduce an experiment in which a droplet of aniline sitting on an aqueous layer moves spontaneously at an air-water interface. The spontaneous symmetry breaking of Marangoni-driven spreading causes regular motion. In a circular Petri dish, the droplet exhibits either beeline motion or circular motion. On the other hand, we show the emergence of a dynamic labyrinthine pattern caused by dewetting of a metastable thin film from the air-water interface. The contact line between the organic phase and the aqueous phase forms a unique spatio-temporal pattern characterized as a dynamic labyrinth. Motion of the contact line is controlled by diffusion processes. We propose a theoretical model to interpret essential aspects of the observed dynamic behavior.
© EDP Sciences, SIF, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2011