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Condensate droplet roaming on nanostructured superhydrophobic surfaces

Author

Listed:
  • Cheuk Wing Edmond Lam

    (ETH Zurich
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Kartik Regulagadda

    (ETH Zurich
    UC Berkeley)

  • Matteo Donati

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Abinash Tripathy

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Gopal Chandra Pal

    (Indian Institute of Technology Ropar)

  • Chander Shekhar Sharma

    (Indian Institute of Technology Ropar)

  • Athanasios Milionis

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Dimos Poulikakos

    (ETH Zurich)

Abstract

Jumping of coalescing condensate droplets from superhydrophobic surfaces is an interesting phenomenon which yields marked heat transfer enhancement over the more explored gravity-driven droplet removal mode in surface condensation, a phase change process of central interest to applications ranging from energy to water harvesting. However, when condensate microdroplets coalesce, they can also spontaneously propel themselves omnidirectionally on the surface independent of gravity and grow by feeding from droplets they sweep along the way. Here we observe and explain the physics behind this phenomenon of roaming of coalescing condensate microdroplets on solely nanostructured superhydrophobic surfaces, where the microdroplets are orders of magnitude larger than the underlaying surface nanotexture. We quantify and show that it is the inherent asymmetries in droplet adhesion during condensation, arising from the stochastic nature of nucleation within the nanostructures, that generates the tangential momentum driving the roaming motion. Subsequent dewetting during this conversion initiates a vivid roaming and successive coalescence process, preventing condensate flooding of the surface, and enhancing surface renewal. Finally, we show that the more efficient conversion process of roaming from excess surface energy to kinetic energy results in significantly improved heat transfer efficiency over condensate droplet jumping, the mechanism currently understood as maximum.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheuk Wing Edmond Lam & Kartik Regulagadda & Matteo Donati & Abinash Tripathy & Gopal Chandra Pal & Chander Shekhar Sharma & Athanasios Milionis & Dimos Poulikakos, 2025. "Condensate droplet roaming on nanostructured superhydrophobic surfaces," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56562-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56562-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gustav Graeber & Kartik Regulagadda & Pascal Hodel & Christian Küttel & Dominic Landolf & Thomas M. Schutzius & Dimos Poulikakos, 2021. "Leidenfrost droplet trampolining," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-7, December.
    2. Pierre Lecointre & Sophia Laney & Martyna Michalska & Tao Li & Alexandre Tanguy & Ioannis Papakonstantinou & David Quéré, 2021. "Unique and universal dew-repellency of nanocones," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
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