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Tan J, Fan Z, Zhou M, Liu T, Sun S, Chen G, Song Y, Wang Z, Jiang D. Orbital Electrowetting-on-Dielectric for Droplet Manipulation on Superhydrophobic Surfaces. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2314346. [PMID: 38582970 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202314346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD), recognized as the most successful electrical droplet actuation method, is essential in diverse applications, ranging from thermal management to microfluidics and water harvesting. Despite significant advances, it remains challenging to achieve repeatability, high speed, and simple circuitry in EWOD-based droplet manipulation on superhydrophobic surfaces. Moreover, its efficient operation typically requires electrode arrays and sophisticated circuit control. Here, a newly observed droplet manipulation phenomenon on superhydrophobic surfaces with orbital EWOD (OEW) is reported. Due to the asymmetric electrowetting force generated on the orbit, flexible and versatile droplet manipulation is facilitated with OEW. It is demonstrated that OEW droplet manipulation on superhydrophobic surfaces exhibits higher speed (up to 5 times faster), enhanced functionality (antigravity), and manipulation of diverse liquids (acid, base, salt, organic, e.g., methyl blue, artificial blood) without contamination, and good durability after 1000 tests. It is envisioned that this robust droplet manipulation strategy using OEW will provide a valuable platform for various processes involving droplets, spanning from microfluidic devices to controllable chemical reactions. The previously unreported droplet manipulation phenomenon and control strategy shown here can potentially upgrade EWOD-based microfluidics, antifogging, anti-icing, dust removal, and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Tan
- Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute), Shenyang, 110042, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Ocean Energy Utilization and Energy Conservation of Ministry of Education, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Zeng Fan
- School of Physics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Mingfei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Ocean Energy Utilization and Energy Conservation of Ministry of Education, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Tong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Ocean Energy Utilization and Energy Conservation of Ministry of Education, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Shulan Sun
- Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute), Shenyang, 110042, P. R. China
| | - Guijun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Ocean Energy Utilization and Energy Conservation of Ministry of Education, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Yongchen Song
- Key Laboratory of Ocean Energy Utilization and Energy Conservation of Ministry of Education, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Zuankai Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Dongyue Jiang
- Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute), Shenyang, 110042, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Ocean Energy Utilization and Energy Conservation of Ministry of Education, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
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2
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Wu J, Fang D, Zhou Y, Gao G, Zeng J, Zeng Y, Zheng H. Multifunctional droplet handling on surface-charge-graphic-decorated porous papers. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:594-603. [PMID: 38175166 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00806a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Developing a fluidic platform that combines high-throughput with reconfigurability is essential for a wide range of cutting-edge applications, but achieving both capabilities simultaneously remains a significant challenge. Herein, we propose a novel and unique method for droplet manipulation via drawing surface charge graphics on electrode-free papers in a contactless way. We find that opposite charge graphics can be written and retained on the surface layer of porous insulating paper by a controlled charge depositing method. The retained charge graphics result in high-resolution patterning of electrostatic potential wells (EPWs) on the hydrophobic porous surface, allowing for digital and high-throughput droplet handling. Since the charge graphics can be written/projected dynamically and simultaneously in large areas, allowing for on-demand and real-time reconfiguration of EPWs, we are able to develop a charge-graphic fluidic platform with both high reconfigurability and high throughput. The advantages and application potential of the platform have been demonstrated in chemical detection and dynamically controllable fluidic networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayao Wu
- The Institute of Technological Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Duokui Fang
- Key Laboratory of Transients in Hydraulic Machinery, Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- School of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yifan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Transients in Hydraulic Machinery, Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- School of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ge Gao
- Key Laboratory of Transients in Hydraulic Machinery, Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- School of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ji Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Transients in Hydraulic Machinery, Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- School of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yubin Zeng
- School of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Huai Zheng
- The Institute of Technological Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
- Key Laboratory of Transients in Hydraulic Machinery, Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- School of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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3
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Wu J, Li X, Lin T, Zhuang L, Tang B, Liu F, Zhou G. Electric-Field-Induced Selective Directed Transport of Diverse Droplets. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:4126-4137. [PMID: 38191293 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c13792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Droplet directional transport is one of the central topics in microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip applications. Selective transport of diverse droplets, particularly in another liquid phase environment with controlled directions, is still challenging. In this work, we propose an electric-field gradient-driven droplet directional transport platform facilitated by a robust lubricant surface. On the platform, we clearly demonstrated a liquid-inherent critical frequency-dominated selective transport of diverse droplets and a driving mechanism transition from electrowetting to liquid dielectrophoresis. Enlightened by the Kelvin-Helmholtz theory, we first realize the directional droplet transport in another liquid phase whenever a permittivity difference exists. Co-transport of multiple droplets and various combinations of droplet types, as well as multifunctional droplet transport modes, are realized based on the presented powerful electric-field gradient-driven platform, overcoming the limitations of the surrounding environment, liquid conductivity, and intrinsic solid-liquid wetting property existing in traditional droplet transport strategies. This work may inspire new applications in liquid separation, multiphase microfluidic manipulation, chemical reagent selection, and so on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjun Wu
- National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Xinyu Li
- National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Tao Lin
- National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Lei Zhuang
- National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Biao Tang
- National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Feilong Liu
- National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Guofu Zhou
- National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Guohua Optoelectronics Tech. Co. Ltd., Shenzhen 518110, P. R. China
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4
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Xu W, Jin Y, Li W, Song Y, Gao S, Zhang B, Wang L, Cui M, Yan X, Wang Z. Triboelectric wetting for continuous droplet transport. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eade2085. [PMID: 36542697 PMCID: PMC9770939 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade2085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Manipulating liquid is of great significance in fields from life sciences to industrial applications. Owing to its advantages in manipulating liquids with high precision and flexibility, electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) has been widely used in various applications. Despite this, its efficient operation generally needs electrode arrays and sophisticated circuit control. Here, we develop a largely unexplored triboelectric wetting (TEW) phenomenon that can directly exploit the triboelectric charges to achieve the programmed and precise water droplet control. This key feature lies in the rational design of a chemical molecular layer that can generate and store triboelectric charges through agile triboelectrification. The TEW eliminates the requirement of the electric circuit design and additional source input and allows for manipulating liquids of various compositions, volumes, and arrays on various substrates in a controllable manner. This previously unexplored wetting mechanism and control strategy will find diverse applications ranging from controllable chemical reactions to surface defogging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanghuai Xu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Yuankai Jin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Wanbo Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Yuxin Song
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Shouwei Gao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Baoping Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Miaomiao Cui
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Xiantong Yan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Zuankai Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
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5
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Papakonstantinou C, Chen H, Bertola V, Amirfazli A. Effect of condensation on surface contact angle. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2021.127739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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6
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Lv F, Zhao F, Cheng D, Dong Z, Jia H, Xiao X, Orejon D. Bioinspired functional SLIPSs and wettability gradient surfaces and their synergistic cooperation and opportunities for enhanced condensate and fluid transport. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 299:102564. [PMID: 34861513 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2021.102564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Bioinspired smart functional surfaces have received increasing attention in recent years owed to their tunable wettability and enhanced droplet transport suggesting them as excellent candidates for industrial and nanotechnology-related applications. More specifically, bioinspired slippery lubricant infused porous surfaces (SLIPSs) have been proposed for their low adhesion enabling continuous dropwise condensation (DWC) even of low-surface tension fluids. In addition, functional surfaces with chemical and/or structural wettability gradients have also been exploited empowering spontaneous droplet transport in a controlled manner. Current research has focused on the better understanding of the mechanisms and intimate interactions taking place between liquid droplets and functional surfaces or on the forces imposed by differences in surface wettability and/or by Laplace pressure owed to chemical or structural gradients. Nonetheless, less attention has been paid to the synergistic cooperation of efficiently driving droplet transport via chemical and/or structural patterns/gradients on a low surface energy/adhesion background imposed by SLIPSs, with the consequent promising potential for microfluidics and condensation heat transfer applications amongst others. This review provides a detailed and timely overview and summary on recent advances and developments on bioinspired SLIPSs and on wettability gradient surfaces with focus on their synergistic cooperation for condensation and fluid transport related applications. Firstly, the fundamental theory and mechanisms governing complex droplet transport on homogeneous, on wettability gradient surfaces and on inclined SLIPSs are introduced. Secondly, recent advances on the fabrication and characterization of SLIPSs and functional surfaces are presented. Then, the condensation performance on such functional surfaces comprising chemical or structural wettability gradients is reviewed and their applications on condensation heat transfer are summarized. Last a summary outlook highlighting the opportunities and challenges on the synergistic cooperation of SLIPSs and wettability gradient surfaces for heat transfer as well as future perspective in modern applications are presented.
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7
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Wetting ridge assisted programmed magnetic actuation of droplets on ferrofluid-infused surface. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7136. [PMID: 34880250 PMCID: PMC8654979 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27503-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Flexible actuation of droplets is crucial for biomedical and industrial applications. Hence, various approaches using optical, electrical, and magnetic forces have been exploited to actuate droplets. For broad applicability, an ideal approach should be programmable and be able to actuate droplets of arbitrary size and composition. Here we present an "additive-free" magnetic actuation method to programmably manipulate droplets of water, organic, and biological fluids of arbitrary composition, as well as solid samples, on a ferrofluid-infused porous surface. We specifically exploit the spontaneously formed ferrofluid wetting ridges to actuate droplets using spatially varying magnetic fields. We demonstrate programmed processing and analysis of biological samples in individual drops as well as the collective actuation of large ensembles of micrometer-sized droplets. Such model respiratory droplets can be accumulated for improved quantitative and sensitive bioanalysis - an otherwise prohibitively difficult task that may be useful in tracking coronavirus.
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8
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Henkel C, Snoeijer JH, Thiele U. Gradient-dynamics model for liquid drops on elastic substrates. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:10359-10375. [PMID: 34747426 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01032h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The wetting of soft elastic substrates exhibits many features that have no counterpart on rigid surfaces. Modelling the detailed elastocapillary interactions is challenging, and has so far been limited to single contact lines or single drops. Here we propose a reduced long-wave model that captures the main qualitative features of statics and dynamics of soft wetting, but which can be applied to ensembles of droplets. The model has the form of a gradient dynamics on an underlying free energy that reflects capillarity, wettability and compressional elasticity. With the model we first recover the double transition in the equilibrium contact angles that occurs when increasing substrate softness from ideally rigid towards very soft (i.e., liquid). Second, the spreading of single drops of partially and completely wetting liquids is considered showing that known dependencies of the dynamic contact angle on contact line velocity are well reproduced. Finally, we go beyond the single droplet picture and consider the coarsening for a two-drop system as well as for a large ensemble of drops. It is shown that the dominant coarsening mode changes with substrate softness in a nontrivial way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Henkel
- Institut für Theoretische Physik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 9, 48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Jacco H Snoeijer
- Physics of Fluids Group and J. M. Burgers Centre for Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Uwe Thiele
- Institut für Theoretische Physik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 9, 48149 Münster, Germany.
- Center for Nonlinear Science (CeNoS), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Corrensstr. 2, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Center for Multiscale Theory and Computation (CMTC), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Corrensstr. 40, 48149 Münster, Germany
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9
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Chang CM, Lin YH, Reshetnyak V. Dynamics of water condensation on a switchable surface originated from molecular orientations. Phys Rev E 2021; 104:034701. [PMID: 34654192 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.104.034701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In heat transfer systems, how water condenses on the surface is critical to the energy efficiency of the system. With fixed surface wettability, hydrophilic surfaces enhance the nucleation rate but result in filmwise condensation due to pinning effect, which impedes the heat transfer between water vapor and surface during droplet growth. A hydrophilic surface with high drop mobility is realized with static tailored wettability surfaces, while tunable surfaces have potential in more comprehensive manipulation in condensation with different scale in time and scale. However, the mechanism has rarely been investigated and elucidated. In this paper, we investigate water condensation on a tunable surface originated from surface tension distribution control. The surface tension distribution under applied electric field is modeled and tested. We demonstrate that the surface tension manipulated by liquid crystal orientation alters the nucleation site density. Also, the periodic surface tension distribution aligns condensed water drops and decelerates the radius growth of droplets. The mechanism of active water condensation manipulation can be further applied to other tunable surfaces for various applications such as atmospheric water generator, heat transfer systems, and desalination systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Ming Chang
- Department of Photonics, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsin Lin
- Department of Photonics, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Victor Reshetnyak
- Theoretical Physics Department, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv 01601, Ukraine
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10
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Improving heat and mass transfer rates through continuous drop-wise condensation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19636. [PMID: 34608187 PMCID: PMC8490593 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98992-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Drop-wise condensation (DWC) has been the focus of scientific research in vapor condensation technologies since the 20th century. Improvement of condensation rate in DWC is limited by the maximum droplet a condensation surface could sustain and the frequency of droplet shedding. Furthermore, The presence of non-condensable gases (NCG) reduces the condensation rate significantly. Here, we present continuous drop-wise condensation to overcome the need of hydrophobic surfaces while yet maintaining micron-sized droplets. By shifting focus from surface treatment to the force required to sweep off a droplet, we were able to utilize stagnation pressure of jet impingement to tune the shed droplet size. The results show that droplet size being shed can be tuned effectively by tuning the jet parameters. our experimental observations showed that the effect of NCG is greatly alleviated by utilizing this technique. An improvement by multiple folds in mass transfer compactness factor compared to state-of-the-art dehumidification technology was possible.
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11
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Zhang C, Wang D, Yang J, Zhang W, Sun Q, Yu F, Fan Y, Li Y, Chen L, Deng X. Charge Density Gradient Propelled Ultrafast Sweeping Removal of Dropwise Condensates. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:1936-1943. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c10285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chenglin Zhang
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Dehui Wang
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Jinlong Yang
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Wenluan Zhang
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
- School of Automation Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Qiangqiang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, 610031 Chengdu, China
| | - Fanfei Yu
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Yue Fan
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Yong Li
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Longquan Chen
- School of Physics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Xu Deng
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
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12
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Yan R, Pham R, Chen CL. Activating Bubble's Escape, Coalescence, and Departure under an Electric Field Effect. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:15558-15571. [PMID: 33332129 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c02903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we present the results of applying an electric field to activate bubbles' escape, coalescence, and departure. A simple electrowetting-on-dielectric device was utilized in this bubble dynamics study. When a copper electrode wire inserted into deionized water was positioned on one side of single or multiple bubbles, the bubble tended to continuously escape from its initial position as the voltage was turned on. Contact angle imbalance at different sides of the bubble was observed, which further promoted the bubble's escape. An analysis model with an electromechanical framework was developed to study the charging time difference on two sides of the bubble, which generated a wettability gradient and capillary force to propel it away from the electrode. Sine, ramp, and square alternating current waveforms with 60 V amplitude and 2 Hz frequency were tested for comparison. It was shown that all waveforms promoted the bubble's escape; the square wave shape manifested the farthest escape capability, followed by sine and ramp waves. An upper view of several bubbles aligning in triangle, square, pentagon, and hexagon shapes demonstrated that the bubbles tended to move outward when the electrode is placed at the geometric centers. Experiments with an electrode on one side and several bubbles positioned in a line were conducted. In these cases, the bubbles closer to the electrode reacted faster than those farther from the electrode, resulting in coalescence. Once the bubble size became larger, it departed either by overcoming the disjoining pressure in a thin film of water or via the buoyancy force in a thick film of water. Controlling bubble dynamics by the electric field, including escape, coalescence, and departure provides an active and reversible approach to move bubbles or increase departure frequency in many fluid mechanics and heat transfer studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Run Yan
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Missouri, Lafferre Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Robin Pham
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Missouri, Lafferre Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Chung-Lung Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Missouri, Lafferre Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
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13
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Kumar S, Ram R, Sarkar A, DasGupta S, Chakraborty S. Rapid determination of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) by an electrically driven blood droplet biosensor. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2020; 14:064108. [PMID: 33312329 PMCID: PMC7710385 DOI: 10.1063/5.0026332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
In healthcare practice, the sedimentation rate of red blood cells (erythrocytes) is a widely used clinical parameter for screening of several ailments such as stroke, infectious diseases, and malignancy. In a traditional pathological setting, the total time taken for evaluating this parameter varies typically from 1 to 2 h. Furthermore, the volume of human blood to be drawn for each test, following a gold standard laboratory technique (alternatively known as the Westergren method), varies from 4 to 5 ml. Circumventing the above constraints, here we propose a rapid (∼1 min) and highly energy efficient method for the simultaneous determination of hematocrit and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) on a microfluidic chip, deploying electrically driven spreading of a tiny drop of blood sample (∼8 μl). Our unique approach estimates these parameters by correlating the same with the time taken by the droplet to spread over a given radius, reproducing the results from more elaborate laboratory settings to a satisfactory extent. Our novel methodology is equally applicable for determining higher ranges of ESR such as high concentration of bilirubin and samples corresponding to patients with anemia and patients with some severe inflammation. Furthermore, the minimal fabrication steps involved in the process, along with the rapidity and inexpensiveness of the test, render the suitability of the strategy in extreme point-of-care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Kumar
- Advanced Technology Development Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Rishi Ram
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
| | | | | | - Suman Chakraborty
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:. Telephone: +913222282990. Fax: +913222282278
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14
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Yan X, Qin Y, Chen F, Zhao G, Sett S, Hoque MJ, Rabbi KF, Zhang X, Wang Z, Li L, Chen F, Feng J, Miljkovic N. Laplace Pressure Driven Single-Droplet Jumping on Structured Surfaces. ACS NANO 2020; 14:12796-12809. [PMID: 33052666 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c03487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Droplet transport on, and shedding from, surfaces is ubiquitous in nature and is a key phenomenon governing applications including biofluidics, self-cleaning, anti-icing, water harvesting, and electronics thermal management. Conventional methods to achieve spontaneous droplet shedding enabled by surface-droplet interactions suffer from low droplet transport velocities and energy conversion efficiencies. Here, by spatially confining the growing droplet and enabling relaxation via rationally designed grooves, we achieve single-droplet jumping of micrometer and millimeter droplets with dimensionless jumping velocities v* approaching 0.95, significantly higher than conventional passive approaches such as coalescence-induced droplet jumping (v* ≈ 0.2-0.3). The mechanisms governing single-droplet jumping are elucidated through the study of groove geometry and local pinning, providing guidelines for optimized surface design. We show that rational design of grooves enables flexible control of droplet-jumping velocity, direction, and size via tailoring of local pinning and Laplace pressure differences. We successfully exploit this previously unobserved mechanism as a means for rapid removal of droplets during steam condensation. Our study demonstrates a passive method for fast, efficient, directional, and surface-pinning-tolerant transport and shedding of droplets having micrometer to millimeter length scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yan
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Yimeng Qin
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Feipeng Chen
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Guanlei Zhao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Soumyadip Sett
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Muhammad Jahidul Hoque
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Kazi Fazle Rabbi
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Xueqian Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zi Wang
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Longnan Li
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Feng Chen
- Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jie Feng
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Nenad Miljkovic
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- International Institute for Carbon Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I2CNER), Kyushu University, 744 Moto-oka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
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15
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Statistical modeling of electrowetting-induced droplet coalescence for condensation applications. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2020.124874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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16
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Sun J, Zhou Y, Chen X, Wang Z. Topography-Regulated Disorder-to-Order Transition of Condensation Droplets. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:6188-6192. [PMID: 32393035 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c00693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Condensation of water vapor is a random, transient, and multiscale process prevalent in a variety of natural and industrial processes. Here, we demonstrate that it is possible to transform the disordered distribution of condensate droplets into temporary ordered arrays on chemically homogeneous but physically heterogeneous surfaces, a phenomenon that has not been systematically investigated in a previous study. We show that such a disorder-to-order transition demands an exquisite competition between the length scales of droplets and cavities. In particular, the confinement effect imposed by the patterned cavities should be well controlled to allow the energetically favorable transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Sun
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hongkong 999077, China
| | - Yongsen Zhou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hongkong 999077, China
| | - Xuan Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hongkong 999077, China
| | - Zuankai Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hongkong 999077, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China
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17
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Zhang L, Guo Z, Sarma J, Dai X. Passive Removal of Highly Wetting Liquids and Ice on Quasi-Liquid Surfaces. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:20084-20095. [PMID: 32255601 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c02014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Surfaces with ultralow adhesion to liquids and solids have attracted broad interests in both fundamental studies and engineering applications from passive removal of highly wetting liquids and water harvesting to anti-/de-icing. The current state-of-the-art superomniphobic surfaces (rely on air lubricant) and liquid-infused surfaces (rely on liquid lubricant) suffer from severe issues for liquid repellency and ice removal: air/liquid lubricant loss or topography damage. Here, we create a durable quasi-liquid surface by tethering flexible polymer on various solid substrates. The untethered end of the polymer has mobile chains that behave like a liquid layer and greatly reduce the interfacial adhesion between the surface and foreign liquids/solids. Such a quasi-liquid surface with a 30.1 nm flexible polymer layer shows ultralow contact angle hysteresis (≤1.0°) to liquids regardless of their surface tensions. The highly wetting perfluorinated liquids like FC72 and Krytox101, as well as complex fluids like urine and crude oil, can be repelled from the surface. Moreover, wind can remove accreted ice from the surface in harsh conditions due to the negligible ice adhesion. We have demonstrated that the quasi-liquid surface shows robust performances in repelling highly wetting liquids, harvesting water, and removing ice, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Zongqi Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Jyotirmoy Sarma
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Xianming Dai
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
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18
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Wu H, Dey R, Siretanu I, van den Ende D, Shui L, Zhou G, Mugele F. Electrically Controlled Localized Charge Trapping at Amorphous Fluoropolymer-Electrolyte Interfaces. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1905726. [PMID: 31823510 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201905726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Charge trapping is a long-standing problem in electrowetting on dielectric, causing reliability reduction and restricting its practical applications. Although this phenomenon is investigated macroscopically, the microscopic investigations are still lacking. In this work, the trapped charges are proven to be localized at the three-phase contact line (TPCL) region by using three detecting methods-local contact angle measurements, electrowetting (EW) probe, and Kelvin probe force microscopy. Moreover, it is demonstrated that this EW-assisted charge injection (EWCI) process can be utilized as a simple and low-cost method to deposit charges on fluoropolymer surfaces. Charge densities near the TPCL up to 0.46 mC m-2 and line widths of the deposited charge ranging from 20 to 300 µm are achieved by the proposed EWCI method. Particularly, negative charge densities do not degrade even after a "harsh" testing with a water droplet on top of the sample surfaces for 12 h, as well as after being treated by water vapor for 3 h. These findings provide an approach for applications which desire stable and controllable surface charges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Physics of Complex Fluids, Faculty of Science and Technology, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Enschede, 7500AE, the Netherlands
| | - Ranabir Dey
- Physics of Complex Fluids, Faculty of Science and Technology, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Enschede, 7500AE, the Netherlands
- Dynamics of Complex Fluids, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-organization, Am Fassberg 17, Goettingen, 37077, Germany
| | - Igor Siretanu
- Physics of Complex Fluids, Faculty of Science and Technology, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Enschede, 7500AE, the Netherlands
| | - Dirk van den Ende
- Physics of Complex Fluids, Faculty of Science and Technology, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Enschede, 7500AE, the Netherlands
| | - Lingling Shui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Guofu Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Guohua Optoelectronics Tech. Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, 518110, P. R. China
| | - Frieder Mugele
- Physics of Complex Fluids, Faculty of Science and Technology, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Enschede, 7500AE, the Netherlands
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19
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Yang J, Wang D, Liu H, Li L, Chen L, Jiang HR, Deng X. An electric-field-dependent drop selector. LAB ON A CHIP 2019; 19:1296-1304. [PMID: 30849148 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc01403e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Drop manipulation on hydrophobic surfaces is of importance in lab-on-a-chip applications. Recently, superhydrophobic surface-assisted lab-on-a-chips have attracted significant attention from researchers due to their advantages of contamination resistance and low adhesion between the drop and the surface during manipulation. However, control over both static and dynamic interactions between a drop and a superhydrophobic surface has been rarely achieved. In this study, we designed an electric-field-dependent liquid-dielectrophoresis force to manipulate a drop on a superhydrophobic surface. This type of control has been found to be fast in response, bio-friendly, convenient, repeatable, and energy efficient. Moreover, the adhesion force and rebounding for both the static and the dynamic interactions between the drop and the surface under an electric field have been explored. It was found that the adhesion force could be reversibly tuned three-fold without breaking the Cassie-Baxter state. Rebounding experiments showed a close to linear relation between energy dissipation and the applied voltage. This relation was used to tune the on-demand behaviors of a drop on a surface in a proof-of-concept experiment for drop sorting. This electric-field-dependent drop manipulation may have potential applications in digital microfluidics, micro-reactors and advanced lab-on-a-drop platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlong Yang
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
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