Rim dynamics and droplet ejections upon drop impact on star-shaped poles

Abstract

When a drop impacts next to the edge of a solid substrate, it may spread beyond this edge. It then forms a liquid sheet surrounded by a rim from which droplets may be ejected. This work investigates the influence of the edge shape on the rim dynamics and subsequent droplet ejections. Experiments of drop impacts on star-shaped poles are reported. Both the rim and the ejected droplets are tracked. An analytical model is proposed to rationalize the amplitude of rim deformations induced by the edge shape. Statistical distributions of position, size, and velocity of ejected droplets are also shaped by the edge geometry.