Interfacial phenomena

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 90 min / session

18.354J Nonlinear Dynamics II: Continuum Systems; 18.355 Fluid Mechanics; and 12.800 Fluid Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Ocean, or 2.25 Fluid Mechanics.

This graduate-level course covers fluid systems dominated by the influence of interfacial tension. The roles of curvature pressure and Marangoni stress are elucidated in a variety of fluid systems. Particular attention is given to drops and bubbles, soap films and minimal surfaces, wetting phenomena, water-repellency, surfactants, Marangoni flows, capillary origami and contact line dynamics.

There is no required text for the course, which will be based on the lecture notes. However, the following are recommended supporting material.

Gennes, Pierre-Gilles de, Françoise Brochard-Wyart, and David Quéré. Capillarity and Wetting Phenomena: Drops, Bubbles, Pearls, Waves. Springer, 2003. ISBN: 9780387005928.

A readable and accessible treatment of a wide range of capillary phenomena.

Homsy, G. M. Multimedia Fluid Mechanics. Cengage Learning, 2011. ISBN: 9780521721691.

A DVD with an extensive section devoted to capillary effects.

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