Issue 18, 2014

Capillary instability on an elastic helix

Abstract

We present the results of a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of the capillary instability of an elastic helical thread bound within a fluid. The influence of the thread's elastic energy on the classic Rayleigh–Plateau instability is elucidated. The most unstable wavelength can be substantially increased by the influence of the helical coil. The relation between our system and the capture thread of the orb-spider is discussed.

Graphical abstract: Capillary instability on an elastic helix

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
11 Oct 2013
Accepted
25 Feb 2014
First published
28 Feb 2014

Soft Matter, 2014,10, 3225-3228

Capillary instability on an elastic helix

S. Jung, C. Clanet and J. W. M. Bush, Soft Matter, 2014, 10, 3225 DOI: 10.1039/C3SM52629A

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