Coalescence of low-viscosity fluids in air.

An electrical method is used to study the early stages of coalescence of two low-viscosity drops. A drop of aqueous NaCl solution is suspended in air above a second drop of the same solution, which is grown until the drops touch. At that point a rapidly widening bridge forms between them. By measuring the resistance and capacitance of the system during this coalescence event, one can obtain information about the time dependence of the characteristic bridge radius and its characteristic height. At early times, a new asymptotic regime is observed that is inconsistent with previous theoretical predictions. The measurements at several drop radii and approach velocities are consistent with a model in which the two liquids coalesce with a slightly deformed interface.

Coalescence in low-viscosity liquids.

The expected universal dynamics associated with the initial stage of droplet coalescence are difficult to study visually due to the rapid motion of the liquid and the awkward viewing geometry. Here we employ an electrical method to study the coalescence of two low-viscosity droplets at early times. We measure the growth dynamics of the bridge connecting the two droplets and observe a new asymptotic regime inconsistent with previous theoretical predictions. The measurements are consistent with a model in which the two liquids coalesce with a slightly deformed interface.

Spout states in the selective withdrawal of immiscible fluids through a nozzle suspended above a two-fluid interface.

In selective withdrawal, fluid is withdrawn through a nozzle suspended above the flat interface separating two immiscible, density-separated fluids of viscosities nu(upper) and nu(lower) = lambda nu(upper). At low withdrawal rates, the interface gently deforms into a hump. At a transition withdrawal rate, a spout of the lower fluid becomes entrained with the flow of the upper one into the nozzle. When lambda=0.005, the spouts at the transition are very thin with features that are over an order of magnitude smaller than any observed in the humps. When lambda=20, there is an intricate pattern of hysteresis and a spout appears which is qualitatively different from those seen at lower lambda. No corresponding qualitative difference is seen in the hump shapes.