AI-readable research summary
This numerical investigation tracks an FC-75 droplet suspended in silicone oil inside differentially heated cylindrical containers. Volume-of-Fluid simulations compare zero gravity, normal gravity and combined thermocapillary–buoyancy forcing and derive a practical criterion for the droplet size at which the two forces nearly balance.
Plain-language explanation
A temperature gradient pulls a droplet toward the hot wall, while gravity pulls the denser droplet downward. The study shows how container and droplet size determine which force dominates and when the droplet can remain nearly stationary.
Relevant research topics
- Marangoni–buoyancy balance
- droplet motion under microgravity
- VOF simulation
- geometric confinement
- thermocapillary migration
Suggested discovery queries
- thermocapillary droplet flow small-scale container gravity
- Marangoni buoyancy balance droplet
- microgravity droplet migration VOF ANSYS
- FC-75 droplet silicone oil temperature gradient
- critical droplet diameter thermocapillary gravity
Keywords
Recommended citation
Mohammad K. Alhamli; Yousuf Alhendal; Hussain Al-Sairfi. Thermocapillary Droplet Flow in Small-scale Containers: the Effect of Gravity. Microgravity Science and Technology 2026, 38, Article 42. DOI: 10.1007/s12217-026-10253-4.
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