The objective is to study the dynamics of
thin liquid films (rivulets) under the effect of shear
flow and different surface morphologies. There are
different industrial and scientific applications that
will benefit from rivulet dynamics such as production of
microchips in engineering, surface active materials flow
in chemistry and rain runback flow on aircrafts wing in
icing industry.
Two main reasons of doing this research are:
1. From the scientific point of view, there has not
been yet a complete understanding of the effect of
surface morphology on rivulet flow. By characterizing
the film behaviour on surfaces ranging from hydrophilic
to superhydrophobic this gap of knowledge can be filled.
The effect of contact angle will be added to the fluid
flow motion. In addition adding the effect of shear flow
to this study will make it stronger.
2. From industrial point of view the one of advantages
of rivulet study will be in aerospace industry. When an
aircraft is flying at an elevation where temperature is
below the freezing point, icing occurs. This situation
happens while the plane is passing through clouds
containing supercooled water droplets. Ice creation
distorts aircraft aerodynamics and causes potential
damage. When rain hits the airfoil surface, it starts
runback flow in the form of rivulets because of the
shear caused by air passing around the wing. Being able
to predict the rivulet behaviour under the effect of
shear flow and on different surface morphologies will be
the key point for aircraft companies to modify their
designs and flying conditions to reduce icing.