Bioinspired directional liquid transport induced by the corner effect

Designing of anisotropic gradient surfaces for directional liquid transport: Fundamentals, construction, and applications

“…The asymmetric convex curvature or concave curvature along the conical fibers creates pressure gradient on both sides of the droplet. 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 Laplace pressure difference has two sides, which promotes the condensed water droplet to move from large curvature (tip) to the small curvature (base). 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 The Laplace pressure Δ P curvature can be expressed as in Equation 3 : …”

Bioinspired Underwater Superoleophilic Two-Dimensional Surface with Asymmetric Oleophobic Barriers for Unidirectional and Long-Distance Oil Transport

“…Directional liquid transport is of vital importance in both of scientific researches and practical applications, such as microfluidics, − enhanced heat transfer, , fog/water delivery and collection, − and water/oil separation. − To achieve spontaneous, directional, and long-distance liquid transport, great efforts have been devoted, e.g., magnetic control, , electric field guidance, − and reaction activation . However, most of these methods highly depend on external energy input, which are not favorable in modern society with energy shortage.…”

Liquid-Assisted Bionic Conical Needle for In-Air and In-Oil–Water Droplet Ultrafast Unidirectional Transportation and Efficient Fog Harvesting

“…In recent years, research on directional self-transportation of tiny droplets has received widespread attention due to its significant applications such as microfluidics, fog collection, droplet manipulation, and so forth. − In nature, some organisms can collect tiny droplets in the air after hundreds of millions of years of evolution. − For instance, cacti enable the spontaneous transport of tiny droplets from the tip to the base of their spines. − Spider silk can effectively condense and transport minuscule water droplets in mist due to its periodic spindle-knot structure. , The surface of pitcher plants exhibits continuous directional droplet transport along radial ridges, representing unique lubrication properties. − Besides, cacti can survive in extremely arid desert environments because they can collect water from fog. When the micro water droplets come in contact with the surface of the conical microspines, they will automatically move from the tip to the base of conical microspines under the action of the Laplace pressure generated from the curvature gradient surface. − …”