E-Handout for ICBCHT 12

Solute-Controlled Vaporization Dynamics of Freezing Droplets

Chen Xu1#, Xiao Yan2,3, Shuhuai Yao1*

1 Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR

2 Key Laboratory of Low-Grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China

3 Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China

# Presenting author

* Corresponding author: meshyao@ust.hk

Presented at: 12th International Conference on Boiling and Condensation Heat Transfer, June 14-17, 2026, Cambridge, MA

Poster ID: 37

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Abstract
Over the past decade, studies of spontaneously vaporizing water droplets under reduced pressure have revealed complex multiphase dynamics. Notably, overpressure generated by constrained vapor flow between a vaporizing droplet and its substrate can induce Leidenfrost-like levitation and trampolining behaviors [1]. In addition, recalescence can trigger burst vaporization through the release of latent heat [2-4], driving asymmetric vaporization on freezing droplets and resulting in rapid self-propulsion [1, 5-7]. These phenomena underscore the intricate physics of coupled phase transitions and motivate further investigation into their interactions. Here, we investigate how solute addition, specifically glycerol, modifies the vaporization-induced dynamics. We show that glycerol substantially suppresses self-propulsion by lowering the equilibrium freezing temperature, thereby weakening the propulsive vaporization associated with recalescence. Instead, partially frozen droplets exhibit spontaneous levitation, cycling through stages of dwelling, liftoff, flight, and impact. We develop a theoretical model demonstrating how freezing point depression suppresses self-propulsion while enabling the accumulation of vapor overpressure beneath the droplet, which drives the observed cyclic levitation. This work advances the understanding of vaporization-induced droplet dynamics and provides novel insights into droplet manipulation in low-pressure environments.

References
[1] Schutzius, T. M., Jung, S., Maitra, T., Graeber, G., Köhme, M. & Poulikakos, D. 2015. Spontaneous droplet trampolining on rigid superhydrophobic surfaces. Nature, 527, pp. 82-85.
[2] Graeber, G., Dolder, V., Schutzius, T. M. & Poulikakos, D. 2018. Cascade freezing of supercooled water droplet collectives. ACS Nano, 12, pp. 11274-11281.
[3] Zhen, S., Feng, H., Lin, S., Jin, Y., Li, Z., Deng, X., Bonaccurso, E. & Chen, L. Condensate halos in condensation frosting. Advanced Science, n/a, pp. 2410657.
[4] Jung, S., Tiwari, M. K. & Poulikakos, D. 2012. Frost halos from supercooled water droplets. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109, pp. 16073-16078.
[5] Lambley, H., Graeber, G., Vogt, R., Gaugler, L. C., Baumann, E., Schutzius, T. M. & Poulikakos, D. 2023. Freezing-induced wetting transitions on superhydrophobic surfaces. Nature Physics, 19, pp. 649-655.
[6] Stan, C. A., Kalita, A., Marte, S., Kaldawi, T. F., Willmott, P. R. & Boutet, S. 2023. Rocket drops: The self-propulsion of supercooled freezing drops. Physical Review Fluids, 8, pp. L021601.
[7] Yan, X., Au, S. C. Y., Chan, S. C., Chan, Y. L., Leung, N. C., Wu, W. Y., Sin, D. T., Zhao, G., Chung, C. H. Y., Mei, M., Yang, Y., Qiu, H. & Yao, S. 2024. Unraveling the role of vaporization momentum in self-jumping dynamics of freezing supercooled droplets at reduced pressures. Nature Communications, 15, pp. 1567.

Contact Us
Mr. Chen Xu (Personal Homepage)
Email: cxubu@connect.ust.hk

Prof. Shuhuai Yao (Lab Website)
Email: meshyao@ust.hk

Thank you for your interest! Feel free to reach out for collaborations or questions.