article published yes Vicente L Diaz Melian author b6798902-eea0-11ea-9cbc-a8e14286c631 Isaac C Lenton author a550210f-223c-11ec-8182-e2d45e817efb0000-0002-5010-6984 Jack Binysh author Anton Souslov author Scott R Waitukaitis author 3A1FFC16-F248-11E8-B48F-1D18A9856A870000-0002-2299-3176 ScWa department GradSch department A floating Leidenfrost droplet exhibits curvature inversion of its underside, due to the balance of vapor pressure and surface tension. Using interferometric imaging, we find different behavior for a levitated hydrogel sphere. Curvature inversion is observed briefly just after deposition, but quickly gives way to a steady state with no inversion. We show the essential role of vaporization in shaping the underbelly of the hydrogel, where changes due to direct mass loss are more significant than the balance of vapor pressure and elastic forces. https://research-explorer.ista.ac.at/download/21982/22014/2026_PhysicalReviewE_DiazMelian.pdf application/pdfno https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ American Physical Society2026 eng 2470-0045 2470-0053 2507.0498210.1103/m7gr-2t6j 1135 V. L. Diaz Melian, I. C. Lenton, J. Binysh, A. Souslov, and S. R. Waitukaitis, “Geometry of the vapor layer under a Leidenfrost hydrogel sphere,” <i>Physical Review E</i>, vol. 113, no. 5. American Physical Society, 2026. Diaz Melian, Vicente L, Isaac C Lenton, Jack Binysh, Anton Souslov, and Scott R Waitukaitis. “Geometry of the Vapor Layer under a Leidenfrost Hydrogel Sphere.” <i>Physical Review E</i>. American Physical Society, 2026. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1103/m7gr-2t6j">https://doi.org/10.1103/m7gr-2t6j</a>. Diaz Melian, Vicente L., et al. “Geometry of the Vapor Layer under a Leidenfrost Hydrogel Sphere.” <i>Physical Review E</i>, vol. 113, no. 5, L053502, American Physical Society, 2026, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1103/m7gr-2t6j">10.1103/m7gr-2t6j</a>. V.L. Diaz Melian, I.C. Lenton, J. Binysh, A. Souslov, S.R. Waitukaitis, Physical Review E 113 (2026). Diaz Melian VL, Lenton IC, Binysh J, Souslov A, Waitukaitis SR. 2026. Geometry of the vapor layer under a Leidenfrost hydrogel sphere. Physical Review E. 113(5), L053502. Diaz Melian VL, Lenton IC, Binysh J, Souslov A, Waitukaitis SR. Geometry of the vapor layer under a Leidenfrost hydrogel sphere. <i>Physical Review E</i>. 2026;113(5). doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1103/m7gr-2t6j">10.1103/m7gr-2t6j</a> Diaz Melian, V. L., Lenton, I. C., Binysh, J., Souslov, A., &#38; Waitukaitis, S. R. (2026). Geometry of the vapor layer under a Leidenfrost hydrogel sphere. <i>Physical Review E</i>. American Physical Society. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1103/m7gr-2t6j">https://doi.org/10.1103/m7gr-2t6j</a> 219822026-06-10T07:36:41Z2026-06-16T11:24:18Z