Dresden 2026 – wissenschaftliches Programm
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DY: Fachverband Dynamik und Statistische Physik
DY 10: Wetting, Fluidics and Liquids at Interfaces and Surfaces I (joint session CPP/DY)
DY 10.1: Hauptvortrag
Montag, 9. März 2026, 09:30–10:00, ZEU/0260
Cleaning of dusty surfaces — •Doris Vollmer1, Franziska Sabath1, Abhinav Naga2, Stefanie Kirschner1, Tarik Karakaya1, Rüdiger Berger1, Hans-Jürgen Butt1, and Halim Kusumaatmaja2 — 1Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128 Mainz, Germany — 2Ackermannweg 10
The accumulation of dust, sand or other contaminants on solar modules leads to significant efficiency losses. Billions of litres of water are used annually to clean solar modules, and other natural or man-made surfaces. However, the complex interplay between capillary and frictional forces, which determines successful removal or unwanted redeposition, is still poorly understood. By combining confocal microscopy and Boltzmann lattice simulations, we observe and quantify the removal of particles from smooth and rough surfaces by a water droplet, varying the hydrophobicity of the surface and the particles. Hydrophilic particles aquaplane, resulting in negligible friction and easy particle removal. For hydrophobic particles, the tangential component of the capillary force promotes or counteracts particle removal. Undesirable redeposition depends on the number and wettability of the particles. On superhydrophobic surfaces, the small contact area facilitates easy removal. For individual particles, we propose a phase diagram for particle removal.
Keywords: wetting; friction; microscopy; global warming; energy transition