Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: We provide some general theoretical results to guide the optimization of transverse hydrodynamic phenomena in superhydrophobic channels. Our focus is on the canonical micro- and nanofluidic geometry of a parallel-plate channel with an arbitrary two-component (low-slip and high-slip) coarse texture, varying on scales larger than the channel thickness. By analyzing rigorous bounds on the permeability, over all possible patterns, we optimize the area fractions, slip lengths, geometry, and orientation of the surface texture to maximize transverse flow. In the case of two aligned striped surfaces, very strong transverse flows are possible. Optimized superhydrophobic surfaces may find applications in passive microfluidic mixing and amplification of transverse electrokinetic phenomena.
Source: Physical Review E
Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire d'Informatique pour la Mécanique et les Sciences de l'Ingénieur, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry Russian Academy of Sciences, RWTH Aachen University
Language: English
Subfield: Surfaces, Coatings and Films
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2061052874