Author(s): Hua Tan; Anna-Lena Ljung; T. Staffan Lundstrom

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Abstract: Droplet impact on solid surfaces is a ubiquitous phenomenon central to numerous natural and engineering processes. Depending on the impact conditions, these impacts can result in diverse outcomes such as spreading, receding, jetting, rebounding, and splashing. The dynamics of these events are greatly influenced by the wettability and morphology of the solid surface. While droplets impacting horizontally placed homogeneous superhydrophobic surfaces typically exhibit a vertical rebound, the introduction of non-uniform wettability fundamentally disrupts this symmetry. On such patterned surfaces, asymmetric forces acting along the three-phase contact line can redirect the droplet's vertical kinetic energy into lateral motion during rebound. Consequently, there is growing interest in engineering surface wettability patterns to passively control post-impact droplet trajectories. Achieving precise, directional transport of bouncing droplets holds significant promise for advanced applications in self-cleaning materials, anti-icing coatings, antifouling systems, and water harvesting technologies. In this study, we investigate the lateral dynamics of water droplets impacting a surface with hybrid hydrophobic-hydrophilic patterning.

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Year: 2026