Honors Theses (Physics)

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Leidenfrost Ratchets
(2006-07-07T13:08:56Z) Taormina, Michael James
A “Leidenfrost ratchet” is a device which facilitates a newly-discovered phenomenon, where drops of liquid accelerate across a heated substrate. The system has been qualitatively studied and a vapor flow model has been suggested to account for this observed behavior. This paper provides a study of general behavior, considerations needed to apply and test a vapor flow model for the ratchet system, and submits the model to an experimental trial. The results show the quantitative validity of a vapor flow model, while exposing subtle qualitative inconsistencies for the behavior of water and ethanol droplets. Content of the study can be used as a starting point for more detailed analysis of the system, possibly leading to novel scientific and industrial applications.