To date research in this area has focused on the dependence of the wetting process on the local fluid velocity at the contact line, i.e. wetting coupled with momentum transport. However serious deficits exist in our understanding when, parallel to momentum transport, also heat and mass transport are involved. These deficits become even more blatant when complex fluids are involved, e.g. suspensions or mixtures, or when complex surfaces are examined, e.g. rough or porous.

Fundamental processes and phenomena are examined over a wide range of length scales (nano-micro-macro) and the transfer of basic research to applications is an integral part of the research program. Overall the subject demands the use of very diverse methods and expertise from a multitude of disciplines.

The CRC is grouped into three research areas:

(A) Generic Experiments

(B) Modelling and Simulation

(C) New and Improved Applications.

As an overarching and integrating factor two generic configurations have been specified (Immersed Body, Sessile Drop). Furthermore, OpenFOAM has been selected as a common software platform.