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Streaming from the Equator of a Drop in an External Electric Field

Quentin Brosseau and Petia M. Vlahovska
Phys. Rev. Lett. 119, 034501 – Published 20 July 2017
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Abstract

Tip streaming generates micron- and submicron-sized droplets when a thin thread pulled from the pointy end of a drop disintegrates. Here, we report streaming from the equator of a drop placed in a uniform electric field. The instability generates concentric fluid rings encircling the drop, which break up to form an array of microdroplets in the equatorial plane. We show that the streaming results from an interfacial instability at the stagnation line of the electrohydrodynamic flow, which creates a sharp edge. The flow draws from the equator a thin sheet which destabilizes and sheds fluid cylinders. This streaming phenomenon provides a new route for generating monodisperse microemulsions.

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  • Received 16 January 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.119.034501

© 2017 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Fluid Dynamics

Synopsis

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Saturn-Shaped Drops

Published 20 July 2017

An electric field can pull apart a millimeter-sized oil drop, causing it to shed thin rings from its equator that then break up into tiny droplets.

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Authors & Affiliations

Quentin Brosseau and Petia M. Vlahovska*

  • School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA

  • *Present address: Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.

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Issue

Vol. 119, Iss. 3 — 21 July 2017

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