During phase transition from the liquid-expanded to the liquid-condensed state, a dispersed Langmuir film of pentadecanoic acid is submitted to an annular shear flow of moderate Reynolds number ͑Re= 10-100͒. The mesoscopic morphology of this two-phase Langmuir film is investigated based on area fraction distribution of the condensed phase after a permanent regime is established. The distribution demonstrates radially inwards packing along the liquid surface induced by centripetal flow originating from centrifugation of the subphase along the rotating floor. For a growing level of centrifugation, a circular Reynolds ridge arises along the liquid surface. The Langmuir film experiences a strong morphological transition driven by a balance between surface shear and reduced line tension. As a result, a shear-induced melting of the condensed domains generates a new patterning which can be described as a regular and monodispersed matrix of tiny condensed droplets.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.