Fluid Fractals

Freaky Fractals!

This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science.

Ever trip out on ink fractals? You make ‘em by putting ink onto wet paint. Then it spreads out symmetrically, like tree roots. How does it happen?

San To Chan and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology investigated. They recorded ink spreading over liquids of different thickness. Then, they compared the spreading speed and shape.

Results?

The patterns were formed by a battle between two forces. Viscosity, or fluid thickness, and marangoni force – how well fluids hold together. By varying the inks and base liquids, they observed different patterns.

The technique works best in three parts liquid to one part paint. This research can help artists make the fractals they want!

No point crying over spilled… ink?


Reference: Chan, S. T., & Fried, E. (2024). Marangoni spreading on liquid substrates in new media art. PNAS Nexus. https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae059