Can Droplets That ‘Dance’ Purify Water?

We’ve all seen dew droplets form on spider webs. But what if they flung themselves off the strands instead?

Researchers discovered that the "dancing droplets" are real, and are more likely to propel themselves off of a strand if they merge from opposite sides—a finding that allowed the team to study the phenomenon in detail. PRODylan Parker/CC BY-SA 2.0

We’ve all seen dew droplets form on spider webs. But what if they flung themselves off the strands instead?

As long as the strands are moderately hydrophobic and relatively thin, small droplets combining into one are apt to dance themselves right off of the tightrope.

Researchers say this peculiar phenomenon could form the basis of new coalescer technologies for water purification, oil refining, and other applications.

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