Droplet Manipulation: Multifunctional Magnetocontrollable Superwettable‐Microcilia Surface for Directional Droplet Manipulation (Adv. Sci. 17/2019)

Abstract

Inspired by microorganisms' motile cilia, “self‐cleaning” lotus leaves, underwater superoleophobicity of filefish skin, and pigeons' migration behaviors, multifunctional, and magnetocontrollable superwettable‐microcilia surface devices to manipulate droplets are engineered and fabricated in article number 1900834 by Kesong Liu and co‐workers. Droplets can be continuously transported in a specified direction via a superwettable‐microcilia array surface whose structure can be switched between different states via an external magnetic field.

Underwater Directional and Continuous Manipulation of Gas Bubbles on Superaerophobic Magnetically Responsive Microcilia Array

“…Figure 1a schematically illustrates the traditional template method for fabricating the superaerophobic FMMA surface (Figure 1a). [11] In brief, firstly, a series of regular conical hole arrays were made on commercial low-density polyethylene (PE) sheet. Then, an appropriate amount of cobalt particles (Co MPs) were dispersed in the conical holes, and the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was poured on the top of PE sheet with conical holes array.…”

A Review on Fabrication and Application of Tunable Hybrid Micro–Nano Array Surfaces

“…Similarly, Ben et al. [ 106 ] constructed a superhydrophobic magnetic microchip array with external magnetic field switch. The PDMS dispersion of Co magnetic particles was poured into a commercial polyethylene sheet conical hole template, and a magnet was placed under the template to orientate, cure, and peel off to obtain a magnetic PDMS microciliary array.…”

Advances in the Research of Photo, Electrical, and Magnetic Responsive Smart Superhydrophobic Materials: Synthesis and Potential Applications

“…Finally, as a concept verification demonstration of optical manipulation, HAR-MMA was used as an externally driven optical shutter with excellent controllability and repeatability. In addition, Ben et al [61] successfully fabricated a low adhesion magnetic microfiber array (MMA) superhydrophobic surface through the template and soaking method using superhydrophobic nano silica dioxide-hexane solution. The study found that the superhydrophobic MMA microfibers, modified with magnetic particles (MPs) such as cobalt (Co), exhibited magnetic responsiveness.…”

“…In addition, the fabric exhibited excellent mechanical robustness and harsh environment stability. In another study by Ben et al, [61] a low-adhesive superhydrophobic magnetic microfiber array (MMA) surface was successfully prepared using a template method and immersion method. The surface structure of the MMA alternates between clustering and declustering under the action of an alternating external magnetic field, demonstrating reversible switching of the surface structure.…”