Leidenfrost on a ratchet

• DOI: 10.1038/nphys1925
• Publication Date: 2011-02-21T15:26:40Z
• Authors: Guillaume Lagubeau; Marie Le Merrer; Christophe Clanet; David Quéré
• Keywords: [SPI]Engineering Sciences [physics]; [SPI.FLUID]Engineering Sciences [physics]/Reactive fluid environment; [PHYS.MECA.MEFL]Physics [physics]/Mechanics [physics]/Fluid mechanics [physics.class-ph]; 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 530; [SPI.MECA.MEFL]Engineering Sciences [physics]/Mechanics [physics.med-ph]/Fluids mechanics [physics.class-ph]

A liquid droplet placed on a hot surface can levitate, and moreover, self-propel if the surface is textured. Solids can similarly self-propel, which means that the properties of the liquid are irrelevant. Rather, it is the vapour beneath the drop that does the propelling.