### Session BF: Gravity Driven Instabilities in Films and Interfaces

10:30 AM–12:40 PM, Sunday, November 23, 2008
Room: 003B

Chair: Pierre Colinet, Universite Libre de Bruxelles

Abstract ID: BAPS.2008.DFD.BF.1

### Abstract: BF.00001 : Reverse draining of a magnetic soap-film: Experiment

10:30 AM–10:43 AM

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#### Authors:

John Pelesko
(University of Delaware)

Derek Moulton
(University of Arizona)

The draining of vertically suspended soap films under the action of gravity has been studied since at least the time of Newton. Today, understanding this draining is of interest in a variety of areas including the study of foams, the study of rupture, and the study of non-Newtonian fluids. Here, we present experimental results on the drainage of a magnetic soap film. An ordinary soap bubble solution was mixed with an aqueous suspension of magnetic nanoparticles in order to form a magnetic soap solution capable of producing a stable thin film. The film was suspended vertically and the thinning behavior studied in the presence and absence of a magnetic field. Both flat films and cylindrical films were studied. In the absence of a magnetic field, the film thins most at the top and produces a region known as black film.'' In the presence of a magnetic field, we show that this black film may be produced at the bottom of the film indicating reverse draining.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2008.DFD.BF.1