Work

Directional liquid dynamics of interfaces with superwettability

Year: 2020

Type: review

Abstract: Natural creatures use their surface structures to control directional liquid dynamics for survival. Learning from nature, artificial superwetting materials have triggered technological revolutions in many disciplines. To improve controllability, researchers have attempted to use external fields, such as thermal, light, magnetic, and electric fields, to assist or achieve controllable liquid dynamics. Emerging directional liquid transport applications have prosperously advanced in recent years but still present some challenges. This review discusses and summarizes the field of directional liquid dynamics on natural creatures and artificial surfaces with superwettabilities and ventures to propose several potential strategies to construct directional liquid transport systems for fog collection, 3D printing, energy devices, separation, soft machine, and sensor devices, which are useful for driving liquid transport or motility.

Source: Science Advances

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb5528

Authors: Haoyu Dai, Zhichao Dong, Lei Jiang

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beihang University

Language: English

Topic: Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity

Subfield: Surfaces, Coatings and Films

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key Research and Development Program of China Stem Cell and Translational Research