Magnetic control of Leidenfrost drops

Keyvan Piroird (1, 2) , Christophe Clanet (1, 2) , David Quéré (1, 2)

1 LadHyX - Laboratoire d'hydrodynamique
2 PMMH - Physique et mécanique des milieux hétérogenes (UMR 7636)

We show how a magnetic field can influence the motion of a paramagnetic drop made of liquid oxygen in a Leidenfrost state on solids at room temperature. It is demonstrated that the trajectory can be modified in both direction and velocity and that the results can be interpreted in terms of classical mechanics as long as the drop does not get too close to the magnet. We study the deviation and report that it can easily overcome 180 degrees and even diverge under certain conditions, leading to situations where a drop gets captured. In the vicinity of the magnet, another type of trapping is observed, due to the deformation of the drop in this region, which leads to a strong energy dissipation. Conversely, drops can be accelerated by moving magnets (slingshot effect).

Domains: Physics [physics]; Mechanics [physics]; Fluid mechanics [physics.class-ph]; Engineering Sciences [physics]; Mechanics [physics.med-ph]; Fluids mechanics [physics.class-ph]

Keyvan Piroird, Christophe Clanet, David Quéré. Magnetic control of Leidenfrost drops. Physical Review E : Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics, 2012, 85 (5), pp.056311. ⟨10.1103/physreve.85.056311⟩. ⟨hal-00996514⟩