Droplet Impact on a Hydrophilic Flexible Surface

We study impact of water-glycerol droplets on a flexible surface, in particular the effect of viscosity on the overall system’s dynamics. We experimentally analyzed the impact dynamics and cantilever response of the system. A thin hydrophilic cantilever beam, made of copper, was used as a flexible substrate. During impact, the viscosity of a droplet damps the substrate’s vibration by dissipating the system’s energy. However, we observed that the initial dynamics of the droplet also contribute to the damping of the cantilever. An analytical model was presented to predict the motion of a cantilever beam, which was shown to be in good accord with our experimental findings.