How do semi-aquatic insects
walk and jump on water?
We study how insects that walk on water, such
as water striders, can float and when they fail to float by considering
modified Archimedes' principle. Along with the theoretical approach, we
perform experiments with small cylinders and spheres having wide range of
surface wettability achieved by various surface-coating methods.
Related publications 1. D. Vella, D.-G. Lee, and H.-Y. Kim, “Sinking of a horizontal
cylinder,” Langmuir, 22,
2972-2974 (2006)
2. D. Vella, D.-G. Lee, and H.-Y. Kim, “The load supported by small floating objects,”
Langmuir, 22, 5979-5981 (2006)
3. D.-G. Lee and H.-Y. Kim, “Impact of a superhydrophobic sphere
onto water,” Langmuir, 24, 142-145 (2008) 4. D.-G.
Lee and H.-Y. Kim,
“The role of superhydrophobicity in the adhesion of a floating
cylinder,” Journal of Fluid Mechanics,
624,
23-32 (2009)
Water striders leaping off water
When does the
flag start to flutter?
We study this interesting problem of
flow-structure interaction with a wind-tunnel and a high-speed
camera. This has implications on how animals fly or swim as well
as industrial processes such as paper production.
