Faculty/School

Faculty of Science

School of Mathematical Sciences

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Supervisors

Dr Michael Dallaston
Position
Senior Lecturer in Applied and Computational Mathematics
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Science

Overview

One of the more challenging aspects of modelling in fluid dynamics is the contact-line problem: how does a contact line (a junction between two different fluids and a solid) move over time? A variety of models exist, such as disjoining pressure models, Navier slip models, and the imposition of a prewetting film, to name a few.

In this project we will explore the behaviour of these different contact line models in the context of closing or healing liquid films. A hole in a liquid film will close due to surface tension, and the way in which models of this behave will depend strongly on the way in which the contact line is modelled. Both numerical computations and asymptotic analysis (for instance, approximations for small contact line velocity) will help illuminate the similarities and differences between these models.

Research engagement

Literature review, mathematical derivations and analysis, programming

Research activities

Student will be undertaking primary research (reading literature, producing mathematical derivations, writing and interpreting results of MATLAB computer code), with guidance from the primary supervisor.

Outcomes

The outcomes of this work are expected to be a short written report encompassing the results of modelling, analysis and numerical results, as well as the accompanying numerical code.

Skills and experience

Students should have knowledge of MATLAB programming and analytical/numerical knowledge of partial differential equation solution methods, commensurate with the QUT units MXB322 Partial Differential Equations, and MXB326  Computational Methods 2

Start date

1 December, 2024

End date

1 February, 2025

Location

QUT Gardens Point

Additional information

See the following references for further reading:

Z. Zheng, M.A. Fontelos, S. Shin, M.C. Dallaston, D. Tseluiko, S. Kalliadasis, and H.A. Stone. Healing capillary films. J. Fluid Mech., 838:404–434, 2018.

D. Bonn, H. Eggers, J. Indeku, J. Meunier, and E. Rolley. Wetting and spreading. Rev. Mod. Phys., 81:739–805, 2009.

Keywords

Contact

michael.dallaston@qut.edu.au