TY - EJOU AU - Borcia, Rodica AU - Bestehorn, Michael TI - A Phase Field Description of Spatio-Temporal Behavior in Thin Liquid Layers T2 - Fluid Dynamics \& Materials Processing PY - 2010 VL - 6 IS - 1 SN - 1555-2578 AB - We study numerically the fully nonlinear evolution of thin liquid films on solid supports in three spatial dimensions. A phase field model is used as mathematical tool. Homogeneous and inhomogeneous substrates are taken into account. For flat homogeneous substrates the stability of thin liquid layers is investigated under the action of gravity. The coarsening process at the solid boundary can be controlled on inhomogeneous substrates. On substrates chemically patterned in an adequate way with hydrophobic and hydrophilic spots (functional surfaces), one can obtain stable regular liquid droplets as final dewetted morphology. KW - Dewetting phenomena KW - Drop formation KW - Controlled pattern formation KW - Interface and Surface Thermodynamics DO - 10.3970/fdmp.2010.006.001