Inhibition of wave-driven two-dimensional turbulence by viscoelastic films of proteins

N. Francois, H. Xia, H. Punzmann, T. Combriat, and M. Shats
Phys. Rev. E 92, 023027 – Published 26 August 2015

Abstract

To model waves, surface flows, and particle dispersion at the air-water interface one needs to know the essential mechanisms affecting the fluid motion at the surface. We show that a thin film (less than 10-nm thick) of adsorbed protein dramatically affects two-dimensional turbulence generated by Faraday waves at the fluid surface. Extremely low concentrations (1 ppm) of soluble proteins form a strong viscoelastic layer which suppresses turbulent diffusion at the surface, changes wave patterns, and shows strong resilience to the wave-induced droplet generation. Surface shear properties of the film play a key role in this phenomenon by inhibiting the creation of vorticity at the surface. The addition of surfactants, on the other hand, destroys the nanolayer and restores the fluid mobility.

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  • Received 30 December 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.92.023027

©2015 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

N. Francois, H. Xia, H. Punzmann, T. Combriat*, and M. Shats

  • Research School of Physics and Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2611, Australia

  • *Current address: Magistère de Physique Fondamentale d'Orsay, Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay, France.
  • Michael.Shats@anu.edu.au

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Vol. 92, Iss. 2 — August 2015

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