The Rapid Motion of the Leidenfrost Droplet Fired by a Laser

-approximately triple that of Leidenfrost droplets without a laser. Both higher laser energy and stronger light absorption by the droplet enhance the transport efficiency of Leidenfrost droplets. The kinetic model elucidates that the droplet's rapid motion driven by the laser is attributable to a shift in the droplet's center of mass, induced by the nucleation of plasmonic bubbles. The displacement of the droplet's center of mass generates a driving torque, enhancing droplet internal flow and the vapor film beneath the droplet asymmetry, thereby increasing motion propulsion. This study lays the foundation for efficient light-driven droplet transport, offering valuable insights for advancing the practical application and control of Leidenfrost droplets.

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Publication Details

Journal
Small
Published
2026-05-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202512574
Primary Topic
Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

The Rapid Motion of the Leidenfrost Droplet Fired by a Laser

Helong Su, Lulu Xing, Rui Wu, Xin Yan et al.
Small
Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer
article

The Rapid Motion of the Leidenfrost Droplet Fired by a Laser

Helong Su, Lulu Xing, Rui Wu, Xin Yan, Hao Wang, Jinliang Xu
article en

Abstract

-approximately triple that of Leidenfrost droplets without a laser. Both higher laser energy and stronger light absorption by the droplet enhance the transport efficiency of Leidenfrost droplets. The kinetic model elucidates that the droplet's rapid motion driven by the laser is attributable to a shift in the droplet's center of mass, induced by the nucleation of plasmonic bubbles. The displacement of the droplet's center of mass generates a driving torque, enhancing droplet internal flow and the vapor film beneath the droplet asymmetry, thereby increasing motion propulsion. This study lays the foundation for efficient light-driven droplet transport, offering valuable insights for advancing the practical application and control of Leidenfrost droplets.

Small
North China Electric Power University (CN), Key Laboratory of Nuclear Radiation and Nuclear Energy Technology (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer
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