### Session F1: Poster Session (5:50PM-6:50PM)

5:50 PM–5:50 PM, Sunday, November 18, 2012
Room: Ballroom 20D Foyer

Chair: Juan Carlos del Alamo, University of California, San Diego

Abstract ID: BAPS.2012.DFD.F1.13

### Abstract: F1.00013 : Fluid Surface Deformation by Objects in the Cheerios Effect

MathJax On | Off     Abstract

#### Authors:

Khoi Nguyen
(Brown University)

Michael Miller
(Brown University)

Shreyas Mandre
(Brown University)

Small objects floating on a fluid/air interface deform of the surface depending on material surface properties, density, and geometry. These objects attract each other through capillary interactions, a phenomenon dubbed the cheerios effect.'' The attractive force and torque exerted on these objects by the interface can be estimated if the meniscus deformation is known. In addition, the floating objects can also rotate due to such an interaction. We present a series of experiments focused on visualizing the the motions of the floating objects and the deformation of the interface. The experiments involve thin laser-cut acrylic pieces attracting each other on water in a large glass petri dish and a camera set-up to capture the process. Furthermore, optical distortion of a grid pattern is used to visualize the water surface deformation near the edge of the objects. This study of the deformation of the water surface around a floating object, of the attractive/repulsive forces, and of post-contact rotational dynamics are potentially instrumental in the study of colloidal self-assembly.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2012.DFD.F1.13