Fabrication of a Micro-omnifluidic Device by Omniphilic/Omniphobic Patterning on Nanostructured Surfaces

Abstract

We integrate the adhesive properties of marine mussels, the lubricating properties of pitcher plants, and the nonfouling properties of diatoms into nanostructured surfaces to develop a device called a micro-omnifluidic (μ-OF) system to solve the existing challenges in microfluidic systems. Unlike conventional poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based fluidic systems that are incompatible with most organic solvents, the μ-OF system utilizes a variety of solvents such as water, ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, n-hexane, 1,2-dichloroethane, acetic acid, 2-propanol, acetone, toluene, diesel oil, dioxane, gasoline oil, hexadecane, and xylene. The μ-OF system is based on a phenomenon called microchannel induction that spontaneously occurs when virtually all droplets of solvents are applied on omniphilically micropatterned regions of a slippery liquid-infused porous surface. Any solvents with surface tension greater than that of the lubricant (17.1 mN/m, Fluorinert FC-70) are able to repel the infused lubricant located on top of the omniphilic microlines, triggering controlled movement of the droplet by gravity along the microlines. We also demonstrated that the μ-OF system is reusable by the nonadsorption properties of the silicified layer. Due to the organic solvent compatibility, we were able to perform organic reactions with high portability and energy efficiency in operation.

Bio-Inspired Extreme Wetting Surfaces for Biomedical Applications

“…For a compatibility with various solvents, You et al introduced a pDA micropatterned slippery surface [166]. To obtain a liquid guiding property, pDA microlines were patterned on a nanostructured surface before lubricant infiltration.…”

“…Reproduced from [166,167] with permission by American Chemical Society, Copyright 2014, and permission by Nature Publishing Group, Copyright 2015.…”

Controlled Sub‐Micrometer Hierarchical Textures Engineered in Polymeric Fibers and Microchannels via Thermal Drawing

“…The texturing of materials is used in a myriad of applications to tailor surface properties and provide novel or improved functionalities. In particular, textures can be used to control optical properties, [35] to tailor how liquid spread on surfaces or flow within channels, [36,37] and to influence how cells grow and nerves regenerate. [38][39][40] The fabrication of fibers with sub-micrometer textures that could exhibit such advanced…”

Microwave‐Accelerated Rapid, Chemical Oxidant‐Free, Material‐Independent Surface Chemistry of Poly(dopamine)

“…[ 12 ] Furthermore, pDA enables the creation of micropatterns, even on superomniphilic/omniphobic surfaces. [ 13 ] The procedures for pDA-surface coating are simple. A substrate is immersed in an alkaline, aqueous dopamine solution (0.5-5 mg mL -1 ) and incubated from several hours to overnight (≈18 h).…”