The effect of strain upon the topology of a soap froth

Abstract
The question of the effect of an imposed strain on the topology of a soap froth is addressed through numerical simulations. Both the standard model of a ‘dry’ twodimensional foam and the case of small liquid fraction are explored. The froths are subjected to both extensional deformation and simple shear. The counter-intuitive result that application of strain can induce ordering in a disordered froth is obtained, quantified and discussed. A qualitative dynamical explanation is proposed.