Thin films and interfacial flows play a crucial role in a variety of natural and industrial processes, ranging from coating technologies and biomedical applications to geophysical flows and energy systems. The dynamics of thin liquid films, especially in the presence of instabilities, significantly impact heat and mass transfer, pattern formation, and overall system efficiency. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms governing these flows is essential for developing predictive models and optimizing applications in microfluidics, porous media transport, and multiphase flow systems. Recent advancements in experimental, numerical, and theoretical techniques have enabled a deeper insight into the nonlinear behavior, stability, and transport characteristics of thin films, opening new avenues for innovation in this field.
This section is dedicated to addressing the critical challenges associated with instabilities and transport phenomena in thin films and interfacial flows. The emphasis is on enhancing fundamental understanding, refining predictive modeling capabilities, and exploring innovative control strategies to manipulate interfacial flows for a variety of engineering applications. Recent advancements in experimental techniques, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and machine learning have provided researchers with powerful tools for analyzing film dynamics, interfacial instabilities, and related transport processes. By fostering discussions on novel methodologies, emerging trends, and practical implementations, this collection aims to bridge the gap between fundamental research and applied sciences in thin film and interfacial flow systems. Contributions that emphasize interdisciplinary approaches and cross-sector applications are particularly encouraged.
We invite researchers from a variety of backgrounds to submit original research articles, review papers, and perspective pieces on a broad range of topics, including but not limited to:
- Hydrodynamic and thermocapillary instabilities in thin films
- Interfacial phenomena in microfluidic and nanofluidic systems
- Transport mechanisms at fluid-porous interfaces
- Numerical and experimental methodologies for studying thin film dynamics
- Machine learning and data-driven modeling in interfacial flow analysis
- Applications in coatings, biomedical engineering, energy systems, and more
We welcome both fundamental inquiries and applied research, whether they are experimental, theoretical, or computational. Manuscripts should offer novel insights, methodological advancements, or interdisciplinary approaches that deepen our understanding and control of interfacial flow phenomena. Authors are encouraged to discuss the broader implications of their findings and their potential impact on emerging technologies and industrial applications.
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Editorial
FAIR² Data
FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
Mini Review
Opinion
Original Research
Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.
Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Editorial
FAIR² Data
FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
Mini Review
Opinion
Original Research
Perspective
Review
Systematic Review
Keywords: Energy Systems, Biomedical Applications, Coating Technologies, Interfacial flows, Multiphase Flow, Machine Learning In Fluid Dynamics, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Transport Phenomena, Fluid-Porous Interface, Nanofluidics, Microfluidics
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
