Computation, Theory and Dynamics Research Theme Seminar
Speaker - Richard Hill, Univeristy of Nottingham
Title - Diamagnetic levitation of spinning and highly charged liquid drops
Abstract - In this talk I will review our experimental studies of the shapes and stability of spinning liquid droplets [1-4]. In these experiments we use the strong 18 tesla magnetic field of a superconducting magnet to suspend cm-sized droplets by diamagnetic levitation. Using this technique the force of gravity is balanced at the molecular level so that the drops are weightless. The equilibrium shape of the droplets changes as we spin them up: they deform from spherical to peanut-shaped and eventually break apart. I will discuss recent experiments showing the effect of electric charge on the equilibrium shapes and fission modes of a spinning droplet [1]. In addition, I will also present the results of experiments to manufacture wax models of spinning drops that reproduce the curious shapes of tektites---small stones formed in asteroid impacts [2].
[1] L.Liao and R. J. A. Hill, Phys. Rev. Lett. 119, 114501 (2017)
[2] K. A. Baldwin, Samuel L. Butler, R.J.A. Hill Sci. Rep., 5, 7660 (2015).
[3] R. J. A. Hill, L. Eaves, Appl. Phys. Lett., 100, 114106 (2012).
[4] R. J. A. Hill, L. Eaves, Phys. Rev. Lett., 101, 234501 (2008).
Acadmic Host - Dr Bryan Bzdek