In this paper, we demonstrate that periodic, micropatterned superhydrophobic surfaces, previously noted for their ability to provide laminar flow drag reduction, are capable of reducing drag in the turbulent flow regime. Superhydrophobic surfaces contain micro- or nanoscale hydrophobic features which can support a shear-free air-water interface between peaks in the surface topology. Particle image velocimetry and pressure drop measurements were used to observe significant slip velocities, shear stress, and pressure drop reductions corresponding to drag reductions approaching 50%. At a given Reynolds number, drag reduction is found to increase with increasing feature size and spacing, as in laminar flows. No observable drag reduction was noted in the laminar regime, consistent with previous experimental results for the channel geometry considered. The onset of drag reduction occurs at a critical Reynolds number where the viscous sublayer thickness approaches the scale of the superhydrophobic microfeatures and performance is seen to increase with further reduction in viscous sublayer height. These results indicate superhydrophobic surfaces may provide a significant drag reducing mechanism for marine vessels.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
August 2009
Research Article|
August 26 2009
Drag reduction in turbulent flows over superhydrophobic surfaces
Robert J. Daniello;
Robert J. Daniello
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
University of Massachusetts
, Amherst, 160 Governors Drive, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Nicholas E. Waterhouse;
Nicholas E. Waterhouse
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
University of Massachusetts
, Amherst, 160 Governors Drive, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Jonathan P. Rothstein
Jonathan P. Rothstein
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
University of Massachusetts
, Amherst, 160 Governors Drive, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Physics of Fluids 21, 085103 (2009)
Article history
Received:
February 11 2009
Accepted:
July 13 2009
Citation
Robert J. Daniello, Nicholas E. Waterhouse, Jonathan P. Rothstein; Drag reduction in turbulent flows over superhydrophobic surfaces. Physics of Fluids 1 August 2009; 21 (8): 085103. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3207885
Download citation file:
Pay-Per-View Access
$40.00
Sign In
You could not be signed in. Please check your credentials and make sure you have an active account and try again.
Citing articles via
On Oreology, the fracture and flow of “milk's favorite cookie®”
Crystal E. Owens, Max R. Fan (范瑞), et al.
Physics-informed neural networks for solving Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations
Hamidreza Eivazi, Mojtaba Tahani, et al.
Chinese Academy of Science Journal Ranking System (2015–2023)
Cruz Y. Li (李雨桐), 李雨桐, et al.
Related Content
Modeling drag reduction and meniscus stability of superhydrophobic surfaces comprised of random roughness
Physics of Fluids (January 2011)
An analysis of superhydrophobic turbulent drag reduction mechanisms using direct numerical simulation
Physics of Fluids (June 2010)
Simulation of drag reduction in superhydrophobic microchannels based on parabolic gas-liquid interfaces
Physics of Fluids (October 2016)
Particle image velocimetry characterization of turbulent channel flow with rib patterned superhydrophobic walls
Physics of Fluids (August 2009)
Direct velocity measurements of the flow past drag-reducing ultrahydrophobic surfaces
Physics of Fluids (October 2005)