Elastohydrodynamic lubrication: lift, contactless mechanical measurements, bouncing and adhesion - Vincent Bertin (University of Twente)

A particle moving in a vicinity of soft interfaces have complex hydrodynamic interactions  with the boundary arising from the coupling between the elastic deformations and the viscous flow. These elastohydrodynamic  (EHD) interactions have a variety of applications at many scales. We first show that particles sliding near soft interfaces get repelled, via an EHD lift force. Secondly, we discuss how the EHD interactions can be exploited to perform contactless measurements of the mechanical properties of surfaces. Then, we will talk about the EHD friction force that occurs during the bouncing of a particle on a surface. Finally, we discuss about the viscous adhesion force, that resists the separation of the surfaces in a liquid environment from a negative suction pressure. 

Contact: Lionel Bureau