Levitation and Self-Organization of Droplets

Abstract

We review studies of levitating droplets over liquid–gas interfaces and dry solid surfaces with a focus on the physical mechanisms of levitation under different conditions. A fascinating physical phenomenon of self-organization of levitating droplets into large arrays is described and explanations for this unusual behavior are reviewed. Closely related topics of nonisothermal flotation and levitation of evaporating droplets over a pool of nonvolatile liquid, as well as recent advances in the study of the Leidenfrost effect, are also discussed.