Min Energy Methods for Liquid Shape Prediction: Network Filling, Active Optical Pixels, …
Students: M.Chinn, N.Fortner, I.Treise
Collaborators: H.Feil @ Phillips, A.Hightower @ Nanostream

Fast numerical methods to find equilibrium shapes of liquids in arbitrary geometries under applied fields. Methods necessary for predicting flows in fluidic networks, electrowetting systems, active optical pixels, …

Below: Filling of a small network: theory vs experiment. Network is shown on left. Right graph shows filling model vs experiment at two different times. The model can predict filling of a network with 10,000 components in seconds.

Modeling active pixels. Right: Color change due to oil shape actuation (figure courtesy Phillips). Below: Basic physics – minimize surface tension vs dielectric energy. Bottom: Oil shapes versus voltage (using Surface Evolver software by K.Brakke, Susquehanna Univ)