Multiple Liquid Bridges with Non-Smooth Interfaces

TL;DR

This paper investigates the complex configurations of two immiscible liquid bridges with non-smooth interfaces in axisymmetric conditions, formulating a variational problem and analyzing interface curvatures and contact relations.

Contribution

It introduces a variational framework for multiple liquid bridges with non-smooth interfaces and explores the universal curvature relationship at singular contact points.

Findings

Multiple stable configurations with five or three interfaces identified.

Derived a universal curvature relationship at the triple contact line.

Analyzed the Young relation at non-smooth interface junctions.

Abstract

We consider a coexistence of two axisymmetric liquid bridges LB_i and LB_m of two immiscible liquids i and m which are immersed in a third liquid (or gas) e and trapped between two smooth solid bodies with axisymmetric surfaces S_1,S_2 and free contact lines. Evolution of liquid bridges allows two different configurations of LB_i and LB_m with multiple (five or three) interfaces of non-smooth shape. We formulate a variational problem with volume constraints and present its governing equations supplemented by boundary conditions. We find a universal relationship between curvature of the interfaces and discuss the Young relation at the singular curve where all liquids meet together.