Tues 10 Nov in Blakers L Theatre at 6pm. 
Mark Blyth


University of East Anglia Norwich

will talk on:
Title: Electrified film flow over topography

Abstract:

Film flow over topography arises in numerous practical applications such as industrial coating flows.
Topographical features like a protrusion or a depression lead to an uneven film surface
which may be unacceptable in a finished product. In this talk, it is demonstrated how an electric field can be used to manipulate film
flow over topography to mitigate this problem. In particular, it is shown through numerical calculations
how a uniform electric field of sufficient intensity can be used to iron out the so-called capillary ridge arising when a liquid film flows
over a rectangular trench. The numerical observations are confirmed through an asymptotic analysis
conducted in the limit of small trench depth. The effect of focusing the electric field
on a particular part of the flow using an isolated, shaped electrode held over the flow is also discussed.