We have studied the electrically induced coalescence of levitated water droplets with a subjacent water layer using the droplet cluster technology. Fields perpendicular to the water surface and parallel to it were applied. The field polarizes droplets, and they induce image charges in the water that cause attraction. This mechanism must enhance electrostatic coagulation in natural clouds. Thus, we have at our disposal a compact laboratory tool for studying electrostatic processes with droplets, similar to atmospheric ones. We estimated the aerodynamic force supporting the droplet cluster levitation. This is important for further investigation of the mechanical stability of droplet clusters.

我们使用液滴簇技术研究了悬浮水滴与下层水层的电诱导聚结。施加垂直于水面并平行于水面的场。该场使液滴极化，并且它们在水中引起引起吸引力的镜像电荷。这种机制必须增强自然云中的静电凝聚。因此，我们可以使用一个紧凑的实验室工具来研究液滴的静电过程，类似于大气中的液滴。我们估计了支持液滴簇悬浮的空气动力。这对于进一步研究液滴簇的机械稳定性很重要。