Long-range spontaneous droplet self-propulsion on wettability gradient surfaces.

ABSTRACT: The directional and long-range droplet transportation is of great importance in microfluidic systems. However, it usually requires external energy input. Here we designed a wettability gradient surface that can drive droplet motion by structural topography. The surface has a wettability gradient range of over 150° from superhydrophobic to hydrophilic, which was achieved by etching silicon nanopillars and adjusting the area of hydrophilic silicon dioxide plane. We conducted force analysis to further reveal the mechanism for droplet self-propulsion, and found that the nanostructures are critical to providing a large driving force and small resistance force. Theoretical calculation has been used to analyze the maximal self-propulsion displacement on different gradient surfaces with different

SUBMITTER: Liu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5548791 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature