Droplet Self-Propulsion on Superhydrophobic Microtracks

Stamatopoulos, Christos; Milionis, Athanasios; Ackerl, Norbert; Donati, Matteo; Vallée, Paul Leudet de la; Rohr, Philipp Rudolf von; Poulikakos, Dimos

doi:10.1021/acsnano.0c03849

Cited by 66 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…This design could achieve water droplet directional self-propulsion without mass loss or mixing on the superhydrophobic microtracks ( Figure 12b). [141] Its propulsion force derived from the Laplacian pressure of trapezoidal structure between the adjacent superhydrophilic grooves. However, the abovementioned structures cannot realize long distance directional self-transport which greatly restricts their practical application.…”

Section: Directional Self-transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Laser Fabrication of Bioinspired Gradient Surfaces for Wettability Applications

Yin

Xiao

et al. 2021

Adv Materials Inter

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materials with gradients inspired by biological surfaces has therefore attracted much interest. Strategies for preparing gradient surfaces include vapor-phase diffusion, gradual immersion, electrochemical oxidation, and photolithography that have broadly adopted. [20-26] However, their material constraints, tedious and time-consuming processes, and their single-pattern limit their widespread use. Developing a substrate-independent, facile and efficient, pattern-diverse method for preparing gradient surfaces would aid fundamental science and practical application. Among various techniques, laser processing has recently emerged as a powerful tool in integratedoptics and biomimetic micro-nanodevices. This technology can be used to precisely control the preparation of micro/nanoscale structures on various substrates such as metals, glass, ceramics, and polymers. [27-33] Besides, the high energy density of lasers allows the machining process to be completed quickly and efficiently. Combining laser machining with computer-aided control allows laser ablation parameters to be precisely controlled, including the processing position, scanning speed, scanning interval, and scanning track. Laser processing can therefore be used to produce flexible and diverse patterns in complex workpieces. And laser micro/nano fabrication has been applied to regulate surface wettability. [34-43] Therefore, laser processing has great potential for developing samples with different wettability and geometries on various materials. This review discusses laser fabrication of bioinspired gradient surfaces for wettability applications, whose overview is shown in Figure 1. The related backgrounds including gradient surfaces in natural creatures, the theoretical basis of wettability, and the distinct characteristics of laser processing are introduced. Gradient surfaces can be classified into wettability gradients and geometric gradients, and they are discussed in terms of various laser fabrication approaches and wettability applications. It is worth mentioning the definition of wettability gradient and geometric gradient in this review. Wettability gradient is defined as a surface with no obvious geometric change in the shape, and there is a difference of contact angles on the macro level resulting from the roughness gradient on the micro level. Geometric gradient is defined as a surface possessing significant geometric changes in the shape, but not much difference in the roughness of the entire surface at the microscopic level. Specially, a wettability gradient surface generates a water driving force as a result of its varying surface roughness. Wettability gradient surfaces can be applied in water droplet control, Inspired by nature, gradient surfaces have attracted broad research interest because of their potential in microfluidics, fog/water collection, and water electrolysis. Among the various techniques for preparing gradient surfaces, laser processing is substrate-independent, facile and efficient, patterndiverse, which can be used to prepare...

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Section: Directional Self-transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Directional Self-transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laser Fabrication of Bioinspired Gradient Surfaces for Wettability Applications

Yin

Xiao

et al. 2021

Adv Materials Inter

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Meanwhile, the behavior of droplets on superhydrophobic surfaces 26 – 28 and related analytical methods 29 , 30 have been studied. Various surface modification techniques are used to fabricate superhydrophobic surface, including UV irradiation, plasma polymerization, polymer coating, electrospinning, chemical vapor deposition, and photolithography 31 , 32 . However, most methods require multistep fabrication or surface treatments, and some of the superhydrophobic surfaces are not transparent, limiting the applications for extensive research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid construct superhydrophobic microcracks on the open-surface platform for droplet manipulations

Wan

Chen

Wang

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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Droplet-based transport driven by surface tension has been explored as an automated pumping source for several biomedical applications. This paper presented a simple and fast superhydrophobic modify and patterning approach to fabricate various open-surface platforms to manipulate droplets to achieve transport, mixing, concentration, and rebounding control. Several commercial reagents were tested in our approach, and the Glaco reagent was selected to create a superhydrophobic layer; laser cutters are utilized to scan on these superhydrophobic surface to create gradient hydrophilic micro-patterns. Implementing back-and-forth vibrations on the predetermined parallel patterns, droplets can be transported and mixed successfully. Colorimetry of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) mixing with substrates also reduced the reaction time by more than 5-times with the help of superhydrophobic patterned chips. Besides, patterned superhydrophobic chips can significantly improve the sensitivity of colorimetric glucose-sensing by more than 10 times. Moreover, all bioassays were distributed homogeneously within the region of hydrophilic micropatterns without the coffee-ring effect. In addition, to discuss further applications of the surface wettability, the way of controlling the droplet impacting and rebounding phenomenon was also demonstrated. This work reports a rapid approach to modify and patterning superhydrophobic films to perform droplet-based manipulations with a lower technical barrier, higher efficiency, and easier operation. It holds the potential to broaden the applications of open microfluidics in the future.

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“…Various surface modification techniques are used to fabricate superhydrophobic surface, including UV irradiation, plasma polymerization, polymer coating, electrospinning, chemical vapor deposition, and photolithography. 26,27 However, most methods require multistep fabrication or surface treatments, and some of the superhydrophobic surfaces are not transparent, limiting the applications for extensive research. Furthermore, these technologies might be inconvenient to use.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid construct superhydrophobic microcracks on the open-surface platform for droplet manipulations

Lin

Chen

Wang

et al. 2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Droplet-based transport driven by surface tension has been explored as an automated pumping source for several biomedical applications. This paper presented a simple and fast superhydrophobic modify and patterning approach to fabricate various open-surface platforms to manipulate droplets to achieve transport, mixing, concentration, and rebounding control. Several commercial reagents were tested in our approach, and the Glaco reagent was selected to create a superhydrophobic layer; laser cutters are utilized to scan on these superhydrophobic surface to create gradient hydrophilic micro-patterns. Implementing back-and-forth vibrations on the predetermined parallel patterns, droplets can be transported and mixed successfully. Colorimetry of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) mixing with substrates also reduced the reaction time by more than 5-times with the help of superhydrophobic patterned chips. Besides, patterned superhydrophobic chips can significantly improve the sensitivity of colorimetric glucose-sensing by more than 10 times. Moreover, all bioassays were distributed homogeneously within the region of hydrophilic micropatterns without the coffee-ring effect. In addition, to discuss further applications of the surface wettability, the way of controlling the droplet impacting and rebounding phenomenon was also demonstrated. This work reports a rapid approach to modify and pattering superhydrophobic films to perform droplet-based manipulations with a lower technical barrier, higher efficiency, and easier operation. It holds the potential to broaden the applications of open microfluidics in the future.

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Droplet Self-Propulsion on Superhydrophobic Microtracks

Cited by 66 publications

References 52 publications

Laser Fabrication of Bioinspired Gradient Surfaces for Wettability Applications

Laser Fabrication of Bioinspired Gradient Surfaces for Wettability Applications

Rapid construct superhydrophobic microcracks on the open-surface platform for droplet manipulations

Rapid construct superhydrophobic microcracks on the open-surface platform for droplet manipulations

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