The LeidenForce project aims to explore this phenomenon of a drop 'levitating' on a very hot surface in order to develop innovative applications that could be used in aviation, metallurgy and aerospace, particularly for cooling and cleaning sensitive surfaces. Funded by Europe, the project led by the University of Liège brings together European partners and will enable collaboration with the CSL as well as industrial companies such as Airbus and research centres, offering concrete prospects for technological advances.
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nder the coordination of Stéphane Dorbolo, physicist and FNRS Senior Research Fellow at the University of Liège, the LeidenForce project, funded by the Horizon Europe - MSCA doctoral network, aims to deepen our understanding of the Leidenfrost* effect and develop innovative industrial applications. "This phenomenon occurs when a drop of volatile liquid is deposited on an extremely hot surface, forming a film of vapour that insulates it, slowing down its evaporation and allowing it to 'levitate'," explains the researcher. Although this effect was discovered more than two centuries ago, many aspects remain unexplained, particularly with regard to the interaction between the drop, the film of vapour and the surface."
Applications for Aviation, Metallurgy and Space Exploration
"The project stands out for its fundamental nature, but also for its applied scope. In collaboration with industrial giants such as Airbus and metallurgy and aerospace research centres, our project aims to develop innovations in several sectors."
In aviation, researchers will be working on optimising the use of cryogenic fuels, such as liquid hydrogen, an essential element in achieving zero-emission flight targets. In metallurgy, the LeidenForce team aims to develop innovative cooling techniques to mitigate the undesirable effects of the Leidenfrost effect, thereby increasing the safety and efficiency of processes. Finally, in the field of space exploration, the research team will be working with the CSL (Centre Spatial de Liège) to design non-contact cleaning methods, using Leidenfrost droplets to trap and gently remove particles from sensitive surfaces.
An international network for concrete results
The project brings together ten doctoral students and several partner institutions from five countries, including renowned universities such as the University of Twente, Université Claude Bernard in Lyon and ESPCI in Paris. "In addition, the project proposes a summer internship and a scientific conference (DROPLETS25) to be held in Liège in 2025 and organised in collaboration with Professor Tristan Gilet, engineer in charge of the MicroFluidics Lab at ULiège."
By tackling the mysteries of the Leidenfrost effect and exploring its practical applications, the LeidenForce consortium promises to advance our scientific understanding while offering cutting-edge technological solutions for a number of industries.
*About the Leidenfrost effect
Described by the German physician and theologian Johann Gottlob Leidenfrost in the 18th century, the Leidenfrost effect occurs when a liquid is deposited on an extremely hot surface, well above its boiling point.
Instead of vaporising instantly, a thin layer of vapour forms between the drop and the hot surface, isolating the liquid from the substrate. This layer of vapour prevents the drop from touching the surface directly, slowing evaporation and allowing the drop to 'levitate' above the surface.
This effect is surprising because, although the surface is hot, the drop floats and moves rapidly, guided by the movements of the film of vapour beneath it. Initially observed for liquids such as water, it has been studied for centuries because of its implications in various fields, including the cooling of ultra-hot surfaces and industrial processes that require the handling of liquids without direct contact.
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