Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Hui Zhang, Yang Liu, Zhiwei Zhang, Meng Hua, Guangneng Dong
Summary: The micro- and nano-fractal superhydrophobic surface fabricated with laser direct writing method exhibits significant anisotropic property, allowing droplets to slide rapidly along pre-assigned stripe-shaped patterns. This patterned surface can serve as a novel droplet manipulate device, enabling effective weight lossless transportation of droplets in different directions.
SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xifan Fu, Qinpeng Zhu, Denghui Liu, Binghan Liu, Lintao Kuang, Yanhui Feng, Fuqiang Chu, Zhi Huang
Summary: A study on moisture condensation on hybrid superhydrophobic-hydrophilic surfaces revealed the significant impact of wettability difference and microstructure size on condensation efficiency, leading to a 90% enhancement in condensation rate. Detailed analysis of the condensation process provided insights into the enhanced condensation mechanism, proposing effective methods for controlling and optimizing moisture condensation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Calvin Thenarianto, Xue Qi Koh, Marcus Lin, Ville Jokinen, Dan Daniel
Summary: A water droplet can rebound multiple times on superhydrophobic surfaces, and the energy loss during such rebounds depends on the ratio of rebound speed to initial impact speed. We conducted experiments on different superhydrophobic surfaces with droplets of various sizes and proposed scaling laws to explain the nonmonotonic relationship between the energy loss and impact speed. At low impact speeds, the energy loss is influenced by contact-line pinning and the surface wetting properties, while at high impact speeds, it is dominated by inertial-capillary effects.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiawang Cui, Tianyou Wang, Zhizhao Che
Summary: In this experimental study, the melting process of frozen droplets on superhydrophobic surfaces was investigated. Two different melting morphologies with opposite vortex directions were observed, and the occurrence of Marangoni convection and natural convection in the melting droplets was confirmed through visualization and flow field measurements. The results provide important insights for understanding the melting process of frozen droplets and designing novel icephobic surfaces.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhenping Bao, Aijun Zeng, Tong Gao, Yuxia Gao, Qianyi He, Yaoyuan Huang, Jingyu Chou, Lu Yu, Chenhui Zhang, Fengpei Du
Summary: Modifying the molecular structure is an effective strategy to regulate the impact behavior of surfactants on superhydrophobic surfaces.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhiping Yuan, Sihang Gao, ZhiFeng Hu, Liyu Dai, Huimin Hou, Fuqiang Chu, Xiaomin Wu
Summary: The study proposed enhanced jumping methods for droplets on superhydrophobic surfaces, which achieved a nearly theoretical limit of energy transfer efficiency through more orderly flow inside the droplets enabled by a designed structure. The ultimate jumping improved the application of water droplet jumping and enabled other low surface energy fluids to jump.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
M. J. Gibbons, A. Garivalis, S. O'Shaughnessy, P. Di Marco, A. J. Robinson
Summary: This study investigates the effects of electric fields on evaporating water droplets on a heated substrate, revealing that the electric fields influence the shape, mechanics, and heat transfer of the droplets. The results suggest that the electric fields exert different forces on droplets with different wetting states, leading to variations in droplet shape and behavior.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
Kai Sun, Lingyun Shu, Feifei Jia, Zhe Li, Tianyou Wang
Summary: Vibration on superhydrophobic surfaces is an effective method for removing droplets. This study experimentally investigated the dynamics of droplets on vibrating superhydrophobic surfaces and established a theoretical model to explain the physics behind droplet detachment caused by vibration. It was found that different droplet oscillation patterns exist and the critical condition for droplet detachment depends on the droplet energy compared to the surface adhesion energy. The study also revealed the impact of vibration frequency and amplitude on droplet detachment time.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Shiva Moradi Mehr, Mohammad A. Charsooghi, Luca Businaro, Mehdi Habibi, Ali-Reza Moradi
Summary: This article presents the liquid version of the famous two-balloon experiment using superhydrophobic substrates. The experiment investigates different droplet sizes, substrates of different hydrophobicities, and various channel pathways to measure morphometric parameters of the droplets. The results show that pumping occurs from the smaller droplet to the larger one on superhydrophobic substrates, while the curvature radius indicates the direction of pumping when one or both of the droplets are positioned on a normal substrate.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Szu-Hao Cho, Piljae Joo, Chi Zhang, Elizabeth A. Lewis, Bryan D. Vogt, Nicole S. Zacharia
Summary: This study demonstrates a simple and practical approach to generate patterned slippery surfaces without the need for complex chemical modification. By preparing a super-hydrophobic base film and coating a BPEI patterning solution, a slippery surface with the ability to constrain liquid motion can be achieved.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bhaskarjyoti Sarma, Dipankar N. Basu, Amaresh Dalal
Summary: The dynamics of liquid jets generated by droplet impact on a fractal superhydrophobic surface were investigated. Two different regimes of jets, singular and columnar, were observed depending on the impact conditions. Singular jets were formed at lower impact velocities and low viscosity, with a maximum velocity up to 20 times higher than the impact velocity. Cylindrical air cavities within the droplet played a crucial role in the formation of high-speed singular jets. In contrast, columnar jets were generated through capillary wave focusing at moderate to high impact velocities. The size of columnar jet drops varied nonmonotonically and was influenced by the preceding jetting dynamics. Both singular and columnar jetting events were suppressed at very high viscosities. These findings have implications for various technologies such as microdispensing, thermal management, and disease transmission.
Article
Mechanics
Chunfang Guo, Lei Liu, Jianxing Sun, Changwan Liu, Senyun Liu
Summary: This study experimentally investigates the bouncing and splashing of droplets on grooved superhydrophobic surfaces. The research reveals the influence of groove parameters and droplet properties on the critical Weber number for liquid jet splashing. The findings contribute to the understanding of droplet splashing dynamics on textured superhydrophobic surfaces and have potential applications in agriculture and industry.
Article
Mechanics
Nilamani Sahoo, Gargi Khurana, Devranjan Samanta, Purbarun Dhar
Summary: The study investigates the post-impact hydrodynamics of ferrofluid droplets on superhydrophobic surfaces in the presence of a horizontal magnetic field. Various dynamics were observed by controlling the impact parameters and magnetic field strength, leading to findings such as the suppression of droplet rebound and the formation of unstable liquid lamella. The asymmetrical spreading of droplets due to the Lorentz force was highlighted as a key factor influencing the impact outcomes.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kaikai Li, Yingxi Xie, Biao Tang, Huanwen Ding, Xiaokang Mei, Min Yu, Chunbao Li, Longsheng Lu
Summary: By constructing surface microstructures and improving their hydrophobicity, severe adhesion of biological fluids on surgical electrodes can be effectively reduced. Inspired by purple orchid leaves with self-cleaning properties, the dynamic behavior of water and biological droplets on superhydrophobic microstructured surfaces (SMSs) heated over 100°C was studied. The SMSs with Cassie-Baxter state showed a pseudo-Leidenfrost effect for water droplets, and the dynamic evolution mechanism of plasma droplets on heated surfaces was proposed. The findings contribute to understanding the anti-adhesion mechanism of surgical electrodes at the microscopic level.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Chuntian Liu, Meirong Zhao, Yelong Zheng, Dunqiang Lu, Le Song
Summary: This study experimentally achieved a high dimensionless jumping velocity and energy conversion efficiency on superhydrophobic surfaces with a U-groove, demonstrating a significant improvement compared to conventional droplet coalescence jumping on flat surfaces. The redirection of velocity vectors and control of jumping direction through the U-groove show potential for enhanced performance in applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sourov Chandra, Alice Sciortino, Shruti Shandilya, Lincan Fang, Xi Chen, Nonappa, Hua Jiang, Leena-Sisko Johansson, Marco Cannas, Janne Ruokolainen, Robin H. A. Ras, Fabrizio Messina, Bo Peng, Olli Ikkala
Summary: This study presents a new strategy for in situ site-selective Ag-doping at the central core of AuNCs using sulphated colloidal surfaces as templates. This approach greatly improves the photoluminescence quantum efficiency of AuNCs by eliminating nonradiative losses.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Robotics
Jie Zhang, You Li, Ziyun Kan, Qiufeng Yuan, Hamed Rajabi, Zhigang Wu, Haijun Peng, Jianing Wu
Summary: In this study, a modular tensegrity structure with preprogrammable stiffness was proposed for continuum robots. Theoretical predictions showed that the curvature of each segment could be regulated by preprogramming their spring stiffness. By regulating the distribution of spring stiffness, our robot could move through channels with varying curvatures, exhibiting its potential for applications where varying curvature and conformal and efficient interactions are needed.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zisheng Zong, Shuo Zhang, Zhigang Wu
Summary: Hard magnetic soft materials (HMSMS) have attracted intensive attention in soft robots due to their untethered, rapid and reversible actuation, as well as large shape changes. However, previous studies have mainly focused on shape morphing, neglecting contraction deformation which could be useful in precise drug delivery. In this study, an anisotropic contraction in a porous structure called hard magnetic foam (HMF) is reported, which has the advantage of being mechanically ultra-soft but magnetically hard. By adjusting the magnetic fields directions, the relationship between magnetodeformational effect and magnetic body-force can be regulated to achieve maximum contraction or negligible deformation. HMF is also utilized for precision drug delivery with no leakage, adjustable drug release rate, and no residue after leaving.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jie Zhang, Bo Wang, Haohan Chen, Jianing Bai, Zhigang Wu, Ji Liu, Haijun Peng, Jianing Wu
Summary: Continuum robots offer significant advantages over traditional ones in specific scenarios. A three-segment continuum robot with stiffness programmable characteristics is proposed, which relies on a stiffness tunable material and a mechanical model based on the finite element method is derived for predicting the robotic configuration. Experimental results demonstrate that the robot can freely regulate the configuration on-demand, providing a foundation for the application of continuum robots with programmable stiffness for interacting with unstructured environments.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
William S. Y. Wong, Mariia S. Kiseleva, Shaochen Zhou, Muhammad Junaid, Leena Pitkanen, Robin H. A. Ras
Summary: This study investigates the scalable room-temperature synthesis of stochastic nanoparticle surfaces with fluoro-free moieties. It demonstrates that both hydrocarbon- and dimethyl-silicone-based functionalization can achieve super-liquid-repellency without the need for perfluoroalkyls. Key guidelines are provided for achieving functional yet sustainably designed super-liquid-repellency.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
P. A. Diluka Harischandra, Teemu Va''lisalmi, Zoran M. Cenev, Markus B. Linder, Quan Zhou
Summary: This article reports a magnetic liquid shaping method that allows for manipulation of nonmagnetic liquids on an air-ferrofluid interface. The method enables compression, rotation, and shape control of the liquids. It has potential applications in film fabrication, tissue engineering, and biological experiments conducted at an air-liquid interface.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Qiaoling Liu, Jiuhong You, Min Zhong, Zhigang Wu, Yunjie Geng, Cheng Huang
Summary: There is an association between hemoglobin level and sarcopenia, muscle mass, and physical performance in the Chinese population aged 60 and above, with specific effects depending on sex, residence, and body mass index.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Qin Jiang, Zhiping Chai, Zisheng Zong, Zhitong Hu, Shuo Zhang, Zhigang Wu
Summary: As natural intelligence, plants have attracted significant attention from researchers. Soft film sensors provide a promising approach to connect plants with artificial devices, enabling further investigation into plants' intelligence. This article summarizes recent developments in micro/nano soft film sensors for establishing intelligent plant systems, including essential materials, fabrication techniques, and application scenarios. Conductive metals, nanomaterials, and polymers are discussed as basic materials, and corresponding fabrication techniques like laser machining and printing are surveyed. Additionally, applications for intelligent plant systems, such as plant physiology detection and plant-hybrid systems, are investigated, and existing challenges and future opportunities are discussed.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shaochen Zhou, Lotta Gustavsson, Gregory Beaune, Sourov Chandra, Jukka Niskanen, Janne Ruokolainen, Jaakko V. I. Timonen, Olli Ikkala, Bo Peng, Robin H. A. Ras
Summary: This work presents a general and efficient method to synthesize pH-responsive near-infrared (NIR) emitting gold nanoclusters by introducing aliphatic tertiary amine (TA) groups as ligands. The pH-responsive NIR emission is achieved through the protonation and deprotonation of TA groups, which induce electronic structure changes. The pH-responsive gold nanoclusters can serve as specific and sensitive probes for lysosomes in cells, offering non-invasive emissions without interference from intracellular autofluorescence.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Arthur Vieira, Quan Zhou
Summary: We report a high-sensitivity multimodal force-sensing transparent droplet probe for characterizing superhydrophobic surfaces, allowing simultaneous visualization of the wetting interface and measurement of interaction forces. The probe consists of a transparent glass cantilever with a droplet probe attached, which directly images the wetting interface and measures forces simultaneously. By combining top view, side view, and high-resolution force sensing, the probe can reveal force contributions from both surface tension and Laplace pressure and measure super-repellent surfaces with contact angles near 180 degrees with a low experimental uncertainty of 0.5 degrees.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Zoran M. Cenev, Ville Havu, Jaakko V. I. Timonen, Quan Zhou
Summary: Theoretical models are crucial for designing algorithms for feedback control of robotic micromanipulation platforms. They provide an understanding of the limits of each manipulation approach and identify key parameters that influence motion performance.
IEEE-ASME TRANSACTIONS ON MECHATRONICS
(2023)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Longgang Song, Bo Chang, Yuhang Feng, Jialong Jin, Quan Zhou
Summary: In this article, a novel self-alignment capillary gripper for microfiber manipulation is reported. The gripper is facile and convenient to use, and can achieve high precision self-alignment of microfibers. It is versatile and can be used with different types of microfibers, and can also construct two-dimensional patterns and plug fibers into microglass capillaries.
IEEE-ASME TRANSACTIONS ON MECHATRONICS
(2023)
Article
Robotics
Jiaqi Zhu, Han Chen, Zhiping Chai, Han Ding, Zhigang Wu
Summary: Traditional grippers face difficulties in meeting the performance expectations of adaptability and range, leading to the development of soft-rigid coupling grippers. However, these hybrid grippers still struggle with adaptively grasping fragile objects due to limited adjustable contact stiffness and compliance. To solve these issues, a dual-modal hybrid gripper with wide-range tunable contact stiffness and high compliance is proposed, demonstrating excellent adaptability and wide graspable objects range.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Arthur Vieira, Wenjuan Cui, Ville Jokinen, Robin H. A. Ras, Quan Zhou
Summary: Many natural and artificial water-repellent surfaces have micro- and nano-roughness and their wetting properties can be determined by observing the contact angles at the liquid-solid interface. However, a generally applicable method to directly observe the moving contact lines on such surfaces is missing. In this study, we demonstrate that a transparent droplet probe combined with a conventional optical microscope can accurately quantify the contact angles and contact area on water-repellent surfaces.
Correction
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liwei Chen, Shilin Huang, Robin H. A. Ras, Xuelin Tian
NATURE REVIEWS CHEMISTRY
(2023)
