The Physics of Microdroplets

Microdrops and interfaces are now a common feature in most fluidic microsystems, from biology, to biotechnology, materials science, 3D-microelectronics, optofluidics, and mechatronics. On the other hand, the behavior of droplets and interfaces in today's microsystems is complicated and involves complex 3D geometrical considerations. From a numerical standpoint, the treatment of interfaces separating different immiscible phases is difficult.

After a chapter dedicated to the general theory of wetting, this practical book successively details:

• The theory of 3D liquid interfaces
• The formulas for volume and surface of sessile and pancake droplets
• The behavior of sessile droplets
• The behavior of droplets between tapered plates and in wedges
• The behavior of droplets in microchannels
• The effect of capillarity with the analysis of capillary rise
• The onset of spontaneous capillary flow in open microfluidic systems
• The interaction between droplets, like engulfment

• The theory and application of electrowetting

• The state of the art for the approach of 3D-microelectronics using capillary alignment