Ultra-quick dynamics and acrobatics of viscous marbles

A Auriane Huyghues Despointes (Physique et Mécanique des Milieux Hétérogènes, UMR 7636 du CNRS, PSL Research University, École Supérieure de Physique et Chimie Industrielles-Paris) Y Yui Takai (Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo) S Shoko Ii T Timothée Mouterde (Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo) D David Quéré (Physique et Mécanique des Milieux Hétérogènes, UMR 7636 du CNRS, PSL Research University, École Supérieure de Physique et Chimie Industrielles-Paris)

Abstract

Abstract Non-wetting viscous drops are unusually quick compared to wetting ones, owing to the conjunction of non-wetting (which minimizes the contact with the substrate) and rotation (which minimizes the dissipation inside the liquid). Here, we report the existence of a threshold in driving force above which the speed of these objects increases about tenfold compared to previous models and experiments. We find that this effect is due to a dynamic reduction of the contact, that minimizes even more the interaction with the substrate but can also render the dynamics non-stationary – a consequence of the geometrical transformations of fast revolving drops. Paradoxically, viscosity enables this regime by impeding rapid contact equilibration, thereby reducing substrate interactions in fast-moving drops.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 17, Issue 1
Published May 13, 2026
ISSN 2041-1723
Publisher Nature Portfolio

Journal Info

Nature Communications

Nature Portfolio

ISSN: 2041-1723 Open Access Life Sciences

Authors (5)

A

Auriane Huyghues Despointes

Physique et Mécanique des Milieux Hétérogènes, UMR 7636 du CNRS, PSL Research University, École Supérieure de Physique et Chimie Industrielles-Paris

Y

Yui Takai

Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

S

Shoko Ii

T

Timothée Mouterde

Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

D

David Quéré

Physique et Mécanique des Milieux Hétérogènes, UMR 7636 du CNRS, PSL Research University, École Supérieure de Physique et Chimie Industrielles-Paris