2D and 3D Volume of Fluid (VOF) simulations of microdroplets hitting microstructured surfaces, capturing spreading, recoil and rebound across different surface designs.
Sector
Advanced materials R&D
Client
Research and development facility
Flow type
Multiphase, surface-tension dominated
Project Snapshot
Challenge
At microscale, surface tension and wettability dominate. Whether a droplet sticks, spreads or bounces depends on the micro-texture, which is expensive to fabricate and test in many variants.
Approach
2D and 3D VOF simulations with surface tension and contact-angle modeling and fine interface resolution, comparing several surface geometries and impact velocities.
Key Findings
- Micro-textures that trap air under the droplet reduced contact and promoted rebound.
- Higher impact velocity pushed liquid into the texture, increasing contact time and reducing bounce.
- 3D results revealed asymmetric spreading that 2D cannot capture, while 2D remained efficient for screening designs.
Deliverables
Simulation animations, a comparison of surface designs and a reusable CFD workflow for evaluating droplet–surface interactions in-house.
Working on a similar problem?
Explore our CFD consulting services or send us your multiphase or microdroplet question. If you need this kind of analysis for a real design, our Sydney-based CFD consulting team supports engineering firms and manufacturers across Australia, from scoping to final report.