Simulation of Spreading Dynamics of a EWOD Droplet With Dynamic Contact Angle and Contact Angle Hysteresis

In this paper, the electrowetting dynamics of a droplet on a dielectric surface was investigated numerically by a mathematical model including dynamic contact angle and contact angle hysteresis. The fluid flow is described by laminar N-S equation, the free surface of the droplet is modeled by the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method, and the electrowetting force is incorporated by exerting an electrical force on the cells at the contact line. The Kilster’s model that can deal with both receding and advancing contact angle is adopted. Numerical results indicate that there is overshooting and oscillation of contact radius in droplet spreading process before it ceases the movement when the excitation voltage is high; while the overshooting is not observed for low voltage. The explanation for the contact line overshooting and some special characteristics of variation of contact radius with time were also conducted.