Dynamics of water condensation over arrays of hydrophilic patches

Abstract

We report experimental results of drop-wise condensation on a wettability patterned substrate. It consists of a 2-d array of hydrophilic patches/spots on a macroscopically hydrophobic surface. We show that in this kind of system, there is not a relevant humidity sink, but the scale and the closeness of the different patches/spots affect the mechanisms which are important during the experiment. These results may provide clues to obtain higher dew yields in arid or semi-arid regions as a way to obtain potable water.