Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/3427
Date of Award
8-2026
Degree Name
MS in Mechanical Engineering
College
College of Engineering
Advisor
Hans Mayer
Advisor Department
Mechanical Engineering
Advisor College
College of Engineering
Abstract
The breakup of retracting liquid sheet edges into droplets is governed by instability mechanisms that, in some ways, are not yet fully understood. Previous and limited experimental soap film retraction experiments using straight edges have produced results that differ from the behavior predicted by Rayleigh-Plateau and Rayleigh-Taylor instability models, suggesting that uncontrolled imperfections in traditional wire frames (used to form and detach the soap films) may influence film detachment and the subsequent edge instability observed. This thesis presents the development of a new experimental approach using microfabricated silicon wafer-based soap film frames to provide improved control over the initial conditions of soap film retraction. A repeatable microfabrication process was developed to produce electrically conductive wafer frames capable of forming and supporting soap films and inducing detachment at the edges of the films by Joule heating. In addition, the experimental apparatus required for high-speed observation and film thickness measurement was assembled and used for initial proof-of-concept testing. The results demonstrate that soap film detachment using the microfabricated frames is possible and establish the feasibility of the proposed experimental approach. This work provides the foundation for future studies in which controlled frame geometries can be used to investigate the growth of along-the-edge instabilities and compare experimental observations with theoretical instability models.