Liquid marbles, floating droplets: preparations, properties, operations and applications

Abstract

The recent advances in the preparation, physical properties and applications of liquid marbles, especially operations and floating abilities, are summarized.

Reciprocating Oscillation of a Floating Ferrofluid Marble Triggered by Magnetic Fields

“…The inclusion of hydrophobic particles lowers the viscous dissipation during the FM motion by isolating the internal liquid from the base liquid and forming a microscopic “air layer” confined by the particles and liquid. The sliding motion of the marbles on the water surface reduces their deformation relative to the rolling action on the solid wall surface, thereby enhancing their mechanical stability and extending their service life. , In the experiment, deformation is ignorable when the marble volume < 20 μL (Figure ). Once the FM volume exceeds 20 μL, the shape of the marble will be drastically deformed as the volume increases, further causing energy loss.…”

“…The sliding motion of the marbles on the water surface reduces their deformation relative to the rolling action on the solid wall surface, thereby enhancing their mechanical stability and extending their service life. 46,53 In the experiment, deformation is ignorable when the marble volume < 20 μL (Figure 5). Once the FM volume exceeds 20 μL, the shape of the marble will be drastically deformed as the volume increases, further causing energy loss.…”

“…Marbles may be utilized as solid/liquid amphibious carriers to carry and release materials on diverse surfaces. Their tiny volume makes mass and heat transmission easier, and it is necessary to establish the groundwork for their employment in numerous industries. , The reciprocating oscillation mentioned in this paper, which is distinct from electrical, chemical, deformation-induced, and damped oscillations, has the advantages of unidirectional transport, internal mixing, and on-demand regulation. In this study, we present a method for controlling the motion of FMs by means of alternating magnetic actuation.…”

Janus liquid marbles: Fabrication techniques, recent developments, and applications

“…39 The incorporation of these next-generation LMs exhibiting more than one functionality is often advantageous as it can provide improved performance compared with conventional LMs. Though the properties, applications, and progress of LMs are detailed in the recent literature, 5,19,[40][41][42][43][44] a focused review encompassing the fabrication, recent developments, potential applications of JLMs, and the challenges regarding its reliable fabrication remains a gap in the literature. We believe it is of great importance to compile a summary of the research works emphasizing the importance of JLMs, which will be highly beneficial both to early-stage and experienced researchers working in the related area/industry.…”

Nonspherical Epoxy Resin Polymer Particles Synthesized via Solvent-Free Polyaddition Reactions

“…Liquid droplets stabilized in air by adsorption of hydrophobic solid particles on the droplet surface are called liquid marbles (LMs). − Since the LMs are covered by solid particles, the liquid can be treated as a soft solid. Recently, LMs have attracted increasing interest because of their potential for use as miniature reactors, ,− sensors, − microcentrifuges, microfluidics, collision-based computing devices, and material carriers. − Various solid particles, including lycopodium, silica particles, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particles, and polystyrene particles, have been used as stabilizers for LMs.…”