  We investigate the nature of vapor bubble nucleation near a nanoscale-curved
convex liquid-solid interface using two models; an equilibrium Gibbs model for
homogenous formation, and a nonequilibrium dynamic van der Waals/diffuse
interface model for phase change in an initially cool liquid. Vapor bubble
formation is shown to occur for sufficiently large radius of curvature and is
suppressed for smaller radii. Solid-fluid interactions are accounted for and it
is shown that liquid-vapor interfacial energy, hence Laplace pressure, has
limited influence over bubble formation. The dominant factor is the energetic
cost of creating the solid-vapor interface from the existing solid-liquid
interface, as demonstrated via both equilibrium and non-equilibrium arguments.
