We explore the breakup mechanisms and probe the associated physics relevant to contact-free multi-component droplets (such as emulsions and polymeric solutions) under external heating. The low intrusive or contact-free nature of acoustic levitation allows us to capture and delineate the topological transformations of liquid droplets during the evaporation process. We also reveal and examine the regimes of vapor bubble growth and instabilities associated with the breakup phenomena (such as Rayleigh-Plateau and Faraday Instability).
Our team makes an effort to address questions such as what role does the size of the vapor bubble plays in determining the mode of breakup in distinct multi-component systems? Alternatively, how does a particular breakup mechanism (such as ligament-mediated atomization) differ in different multi-component systems?
Publications
Bubble dynamics and atomization in evaporating polymeric droplets
G.K.S. Raghuram, D. Chaitanya Kumar Rao, D. Roy, A. Kumar, S. Basu
Journal of Fluid Mechanics 951, 48, 2022.
Atomization modes for levitating emulsified droplets undergoing phase change
D. Chaitanya Kumar Rao and S. Basu
Experiments in Fluids 61, 41, 2020.
Phenomenology of disruptive breakup mechanism of a levitated evaporating emulsion droplet
D. Chaitanya Kumar Rao and S. Basu
Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science 115, 110086, 2020.