Spreading Dynamics of Water Film on a Vibrating Glass

We examine experimentally, the spreading dynamics of a wetting water film on plate glass when subjected to vibrations. Both mechanical and acoustic sources of vibrations are considered. The water is wetted on a simply supported rectangular piece of plate glass. Several glass inclinations are tested, with different exciting frequencies. Furthermore, we add different chemicals on the glass surface. This changes the contact angle of the water droplets. Doing this allows the examination of the effect of adhesion versus cohesion, in regards to the behavior of the water spreading on the plate glass. Our attempt to elucidate the relevant physics is driven by the goal of providing a basis for replacing windshield wipers of future automobiles.