Jean Metzmacher

University of Liège | ulg · Department of Physics

The Schlieren method intends to reveal the elevation of a refractive fluid–fluid interface. The method is based on a comparison of images of a single pattern placed at the bottom of the container. Accurate measurements can be obtained with a simple and low-cost optical setup. However, it is restricted to weak interface deformations, weak slopes and...

Self-assembly due to capillary forces is a common method for generating 2D mesoscale structures made of identical particles floating at some liquid-air interface. We show herein how to create soft entities that deform or not the liquid interface as a function of the strength of some applied magnetic field. These smart floating objects self-assemble...