Inspired by the huge droplets attached on cypress tree leaf tips after rain, we find that a bent fibre can hold significantly more water in the corner than a horizontally placed fibre (typically up to three times or more). The maximum volume of the liquid that can be trapped is remarkably affected by the bending angle of the fibre and surface tension of the liquid. We experimentally find the optimal included angle (∼36°) that holds the most water. Analytical and semi-empirical models are developed to explain these counter-intuitive experimental observations and predict the optimal angle. The data and models could be useful for designing microfluidic and fog harvesting devices.

中文翻译：

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掉落在弯曲的光纤上†

受雨后附着在柏树叶子尖端的巨大水滴的启发，我们发现弯曲的纤维在拐角处的持水量比水平放置的纤维要多得多（通常多达三倍或更多）。可以捕集的最大液体量受到纤维弯曲角度和液体表面张力的显着影响。我们通过实验找到了可容纳最多水的最佳夹角（〜36°）。开发了分析和半经验模型来解释这些与直觉相反的实验观察结果并预测最佳角度。数据和模型对于设计微流体和雾气收集装置可能是有用的。