Regensburg 2010 – scientific programme

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 37: Poster: Colloids and Complex Liquids

CPP 37.14: Poster

Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 17:30–19:00, Poster B2

Impact of droplets on thin free standing smectic films — •Sebastian Baumgarten, Thomas John, Kirsten Harth, and Ralf Stannarius — Institut für Experimentelle Physik, Universität Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg

Free standing smectic films are stable quasi two-dimensional fluid objects. They have submicrometer thicknesses and consist of layers of smectic liquid crystals. The surface of the films is uniform on the order of single smectic layers.

Picoliter water/glycerol droplets are generated on demand with a piezoelectric dispenser. Their diameters are approximately 30 µm. The position controlled impact of the droplets on the films is observed with a microscope in reflection. Dependent on the materials used, we observe an integration of the droplets in the film structure or a rapid rupture of the free standing film. We record impact and subsequent motion of the droplets in the film with a high speed camera. On an oblique film, the motion of the droplets is gravity driven. This allows a study of hydrodynamics in quasi two dimensions and the viscous drag on the droplet. We plan to have results from variable gravity experiments from DLR parabolic flights at the time of the meeting.