# Non-wetting drops at liquid interfaces: From liquid marbles to Leidenfrost drops

## TL;DR

This paper investigates the behavior of non-wetting, deformable drops at liquid interfaces, providing new insights into phenomena like Leidenfrost droplets and liquid marbles by analyzing interface deflections and surface tensions.

## Contribution

It introduces a model for the flotation of deformable non-wetting drops, highlighting the sensitivity of liquid marbles to interface tension and proposing their use as probes for complex interface properties.

## Key findings

- Liquid marble flotation is highly sensitive to interface tension.
- The model explains deformation responses of drops and interfaces.
- Potential application as an interface property assay.

## Abstract

We consider the flotation of deformable, non-wetting drops on a liquid interface. We consider the deflection of both the liquid interface and the droplet itself in response to the buoyancy forces, density difference and the various surface tensions within the system. Our results suggest new insight into a range of phenomena in which such drops occur, including Leidenfrost droplets and floating liquid marbles. In particular, we show that the floating state of liquid marbles is very sensitive to the tension of the particle-covered interface and suggest that this sensitivity may make such experiments a useful assay of the properties of these complex interfaces.