Triple Leidenfrost effect found in bouncing droplet pairs

By Frances Addison2021-11-30T09:30:00

A photo of two droplets sitting on a surface, one larger and one smaller. They are backlit so they appear as shaded outlines. Between the droplets, a wisp of evaporating liquid can be seen

Source: © F Pacheco-Vázquez

Droplets of different liquids placed on a hot surface perform a bouncy dance before merging – sometimes with explosive results

Researchers have identified a new phenomenon dubbed triple Leidenfrost effect that explains why two droplets of different liquids bounce off each other when placed on a hot surface instead of merging.