Surface properties can have surprising effects on fluid behavior. This image shows the evaporation of several droplets over time. All of the initial droplets are of the same volume, but they are placed on a surface which is a) superhydrophobic, b) hydrophobic, or c) hydrophilic. The more hydrophobic the surface, the larger the initial contact angle between the droplet and surface and the smaller the wetted area of the surface. Yet despite this seemingly large surface area exposure to air, the droplet on the superhydrophobic surface is the slowest to evaporate. (Photo credit: C. Choi)
Evaporation and Surface Effects
