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Change in drag, apparent slip and optimum air layer thickness for laminar flow over an idealised superhydrophobic surface

A reverse flow exists in an air-layer on a super-hydrophobic surface, which impairs the drag-reducing effects of the surface. The new analytic formulae derived in this paper replace previous predictions from lubrication theory where this effect was not taken into account. They give a more realistic and accurate estimate for the change in drag that can be achieved by using super-hydrophobic surfaces. This 'outstanding work has been chosen as one of the exemplars' (Journal of Fluid Mechanics Editor, c.p.caulfield@bpi.cam.ac.uk) for a feature in 'Focus on Fluids' (see J Fluid Mechanics, vol 736, pp1-4)