Manipulation of massive droplets,
particles, as well as cells has
enabled wide applications. However, most existing technologies require
complicated processes, operations, or external setup. This article
demonstrates the employment of biomimetic Nepenthes peristome surfaces (NPS) in achieving ultrafast microdroplet generation
and high-density microparticle arraying, with the assistance of curvature-induced
Laplace pressure in slipping mode and evaporation-driven Marangoni
effect in climbing mode, respectively. Different wetting phenomena
on the biomimetic NPS were observed under variable contact angles
and tilting angles, strongly affecting the microdroplet generation
and microparticle array. As the optimal results, 5 μm-size microparticles
were arrayed with 85% coverage rate in 65 s and 20 μm-size microdroplets
were arrayed with 100% coverage rate in 3 s. In this study, this well-designed
bionic surface shows excellent performances as an ultrafast, universal,
and straightforward approach to capture and array micro-objects in
aqueous solutions for various biological and chemical analyses.
Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) is a cost-effective and high-throughput technology for replicating nanoscale structures that do not require expensive light sources for advanced photolithography equipment. NIL overcomes the limitations of light...
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