Workshop on the Micromechanics of Wetting & Coalescence

St Anne's College, Oxford

Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th December, 2012

Registration is now closed. If you wish to be added to the waiting list please email the organiser, sprittles [-at-] maths [dot] ox [dot] ac [dot] uk (James Sprittles)

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Organisers: James Sprittles and Jim Oliver

This two-day workshop will focus on recent advances in the understanding of the fluid dynamics of wetting and coalescence. These processes underpin many new technological elements and, in particular, govern the functioning of a number of emerging micro- and nanofluidic devices, such as '3D-Printers'.

This inter-disciplinary workshop will bring together leading scientists in the field to discuss, amongst other things, novel experimental techniques that are being used to probe these flows at previously unobservable spatio-temporal scales and, critically, the applicability of a range of theoretical approaches to describe these kind of results.

Confirmed Speakers

• Prof. Sigurdur Thoroddsen, KAUST, Saudi Arabia
  
  • Prof. Thoroddsen has pioneered the use of ultra high-speed imaging techniques for free surface flows and, in particular, he has published one of the most comprehensive experimental investigations into the coalescence phenomenon. His pictures and videos have four times received the Gallery of Fluid Motion Award given by the APS.

• Prof. Sidney Nagel, University of Chicago, USA
  
  • 'Singular' free surface flows are just one of the areas in which Prof. Nagel's research group have made major advances. In particular, they have developed a novel electrical-based technique that allows the coalescence phenomenon to be studied at sub-optical scales, which has allowed them to identify new flow regimes.

• Dr Dirk Aarts, University of Oxford, UK
  • Dr Aarts heads a research group who study colloidal interfaces. They use new chemical synthesis techniques that allow precise control over the size, shape and interaction of particles, and new measurement techniques, such as confocal microscopy and laser tweezers, to study interfaces with exceptional accuracy and control.

• Dr Mark Wilson, University of Leeds, UK
  
  • Dr Wilson's research is concerned with the modelling and simulation of technologically-relevant interfacial flows. As well as using traditional continuum based approaches to study this class of flows, he has recently developed lattice Boltzmann models to provide a better understanding of novel inkjet printing techniques.

• Prof. Brian Derby, University of Manchester, UK
  
  • Prof. Derby's research group in the School of Materials has been at the forefront of research into the development of inkjet printing as a manufacturing tool. They are particularly interested in developing methods of characterising processes in situ and collaborate with industry and other research groups across the world.

• Prof. Yulii Shikhmurzaev, University of Birmingham, UK
  
  • Prof. Shikhmurzaev's major achievement has been the development of the interface formation theory, which describes flows in which interface is formed or destroyed, and its application to a number of free surface flows. His recent work has highlighted experimentally verifiable differences between the predictions of different models.

• Prof. Terry Blake, Laboratory for Physics of Surfaces and Interfaces (LPSI), Université de Mons, Belgium
  • Prof. Blake has been a leader in the field of dynamic wetting since developing the molecular kinetic theory of wetting. As Group Leader of Surface Science at Kodak, he was responsible for major advances in the optimization of coating flows. Recently, he has worked on molecular dynamics simulations for wetting phenomena.

• Dr James Bird, Boston University, USA
  • Dr. Bird's research group investigates interfacial fluid dynamics, focusing on capillarity. His group combines experiments and theory to explore basic, yet often counter-intuitive phenomena ranging from coalescence to splashing. Recent work includes investigating the draining, dewetting, and retraction of curved viscous films using interferometry and high-speed cameras.
    

• Prof. Steffen Hardt, Centre of Smart Interfaces, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany
  • As Head of the Nano- and Microfluidics at the Centre of Smart Interfaces, Prof. Hardt's group attempt to bridge the gap between insight-driven research on the fundamental level and applied research by bringing novel ideas having emerged from the former into the context of practical applications, such as Lab-on-a-Chip systems.

• Prof. Joël De Coninck, Laboratory for Physics of Surfaces and Interfaces (LPSI), Université de Mons, Belgium 
  • Prof. De Coninck heads the LPSI's research into the study of interfaces and solid surfaces. He has pioneered development of molecular dynamics simulations to study interfacial phenomena, such as dynamic wetting, in order to better understand numerous industrial processes.

• Dr ir Paul Duineveld, Director Engineering Fluid Dynamics, Philips Consumer Lifestyle
  • Together with his team, he delivers in-depth fluid dynamics understanding towards key-differentiator technologies, applied in the development of most Philips consumer products. Example products include the SoniCare AirFloss, the PerfectCare Steam Irons, the AquaTrio wet surface cleaner and many others. 

• Dr Jeremy Marston, KAUST, Saudi Arabia
  • Dr. Marston's research interests lie in the application of high-speed imaging to experimental fluid dynamics. As well as studying phenomena related to granular impact, coating and squeeze flows, he has recently focused on the dynamics of drop-powder interactions and the formation of liquid marbles.

Delegates may wish to book rooms at St Anne's for the duration of the workshop. Please email occam [-at-] maths [dot] ox [dot] ac [dot] uk for prices and the promotional code required.