Spontaneous surface tension-induced displacement of a liquid plug in capillary tube

J. Kim, J. D. O'Neill, G. Vunjak-Novakovic

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

We report on the underlying mechanism of spontaneous displacement of liquid plugs induced by surface tension in a small confined geometry (e.g., capillary tube). Experimental results show that the plug displacement is due to the instantaneous increase in kinetic energy that results from the surface tension between liquid plugs. Thus, the distance between plugs, which is inversely related to the surface tension energy, modulates the displacement speed and the total travel distance of the plugs. Our study provides an important basis for understanding flow phenomena of liquid plugs within small geometries.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMicroTAS 2015 - 19th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences
Pages1095-1097
Number of pages3
ISBN (Electronic)9780979806483
StatePublished - 2015
Event19th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, MicroTAS 2015 - Gyeongju, Korea, Republic of
Duration: 25 Oct 201529 Oct 2015

Publication series

NameMicroTAS 2015 - 19th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences

Conference

Conference19th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, MicroTAS 2015
Country/TerritoryKorea, Republic of
CityGyeongju
Period25/10/1529/10/15

Keywords

  • Kinetic energy
  • Liquid plug displacement
  • Surface tension

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