Soft Matter Physics

Capillary flow as the cause of ring stains from dried liquid drops

In plain English

The original coffee-ring study explains how evaporation from a drop with a pinned edge drives outward flow. That flow carries suspended particles toward the boundary, leaving a concentrated ring after drying.

On the show1
  1. EP 59

    Golden Goose Awards 2026: The Science Behind the Winners (Part 1)

    Explore the science behind the 2026 Golden Goose Awards, from ultrasound that destroys tumors to NASA’s night lights and the deep physics of everyday life.

    Golden Goose Awards 2026: The Science Behind the Winners (Part 1)