Heat-induced liquid hovering in liquid-gas coexistence under gravity

TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to demonstrate that heat flow can induce a stable floating liquid in a gravity field, with the floating height governed by a key dimensionless parameter, revealing novel thermodynamic behavior.

Contribution

The paper introduces a new phenomenon where heat flow causes a liquid to hover in a gravitational field, supported by simulations and a thermodynamic explanation.

Findings

Liquid can float steadily under heat flow against gravity.

Floating height depends on a dimensionless ratio of temperature gradient to gravity.

Supercooled gas remains stable above the floating liquid.

Abstract

We study a liquid-gas coexistence system in a container under gravity with heat flow in the direction opposite to gravity. By molecular dynamics simulation, we find that the liquid buoys up and continues to float steadily. The height at which the liquid floats is determined by a dimensionless parameter related to the ratio of the temperature gradient to gravity. We confirm that supercooled gas remains stable above the liquid. We provide a phenomenological argument for explaining the phenomenon from a simple thermodynamic assumption.