On the thermocapillary migration between parallel plates

Abstract In this work, the thermocapillary migration of liquid bridges and air bubbles between parallel plates is studied. The factors influencing the thermocapillary migration are discussed, especially the magnitudes of the thermal gradient, the liquid or gas volume and the tilt angle of the parallel plates against gravity. The experimental trends are explained based on scaling models. It is found that a critical tilt angle exists at which the thermocapillary migration of liquid bridges is suspended. A simple two-dimensional theoretical model for the migration of liquid bridges is formulated. The model is able to predict the critical tilt angles in an approximate manner. An application perspective of this work lies in tribological systems in which liquid lubricant is replenished using applied thermal gradients.