Memory Re-Condensation

This paper reveals a phenomenon of memory in dropwise condensation in open air. After a first condensation process and complete evaporation of the condensed droplets, further condensations proceed with droplets nucleating at the very places where former droplets evaporated. The origin of this phenomenon is due to the incorporation of airborne salts during the first droplet condensation and its further concentration during droplet evaporation. Salts act as preferential nucleation sites and humidity sinks. The potential impact of this phenomenon on controlled breath figure patterns and plant metabolism is discussed.