Regensburg 2007 – scientific programme

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 24: Micro and Nano Fluidics II: Soft Objects in Flow + Slippage

CPP 24.5: Talk

Thursday, March 29, 2007, 11:00–11:15, H37

Rupture and collapse dynamics of thin liquid films — •Frank Müller and Ralf Stannarius — Institut für Experimentelle Physik, Otto-von-Guericke Universität, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany

Equilibrium shapes of thin free-standing liquid membranes are well understood. On the other hand, when such films undergo fast configurational transitions like the rupture of spherical bubbles or the collapse of catenoids [1], different dynamical mechanisms are involved, and such processes are in general poorly understood. We study such phenomena experimentally, using smectic liquid crystal membranes and a fast camera (up to 100 kfps). From the time resolved image analysis, we determine the influences of different processes involved, like collection of the excess material in a rim, global flow in the film towards the meniscus and global thickening of the film. The role of these mechanisms is controlled by the viscosity, the thickness of the film and influences of the surrounding air.

[1] Müller F and Stannarius R: Collapse dynamics of catenoid-shapes smectic films, Europhys. Lett. 2006, in press