Electrowetting propulsion of water-floating objects

Chung, Sang Kug; Ryu, Kyungjoo; Cho, Sung Kwon

doi:10.1063/1.3173197

Cited by 37 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The method for this novel propulsion and rotation mechanism is simple yet efficient; this method can possibly be used to propel and maneuver mini/micro-water-floating boats and robots that can be used for water/air quality monitoring systems or security surveillance systems for specific purposes in other industry areas. 83,88 Mita et al 89 developed a silicon-based swimming robot or pond skating device that floats on liquid surfaces through the use of surface tension and is propelled by EWOD. Figure 21 shows the schematics of the propulsion mechanism involved.…”

Section: Propulsion Of Objects Floating On Watermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bubble actuation by electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) and its applications: A review

Chung

Rhee

Cho

2010

Int. J. Precis. Eng. Manuf.

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This paper reviews the principles, operations, and applications of bubble-based electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD). EWOD has proved to be an efficient tool in digital microfluidics that employs discrete droplets, and various applications that use the principles of EWOD have been developed from lab-on-a-chip to optical systems. Similar to its use with droplets, EWOD can also be applied to gaseous bubbles. This review begins with a discussion of the principles of EWOD for a bubble on an electrode covered with a hydrophobic dielectric layer. It then addresses EWOD actuation and the transportation of a bubble in an aqueous medium, along with a physical explanation of bubble motion. The operation of EWOD is then extended to the on-chip creation/elimination and splitting of bubbles. In particular, micro-mixers and pumps are discussed as potential applications of these operations. Unlike droplets, bubbles can be easily oscillated by external excitation, which provides additional functionalities. By integrating EWOD with external excitation, a number of new advanced applications are introduced, including the capture/separation of particles and the propulsion of objects. In these advanced operations, cavitational microstreaming flows and acoustic radiation forces are mainly responsible for the physical mechanisms. This paper also discusses these advanced operations along with their underlying physics. It is expected that in addition to bubble oscillation, other bubble actuation modes will create new functionalities and new potential applications.

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Section: Propulsion Of Objects Floating On Watermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chung et al 83 developed mini/micro-boats or robots, which have no mechanical moving parts and can swim on a water-free surface like a water strider. 84-87 A centimeter-sized mini-boat was fabricated from a thin plastic foil with outer surfaces that were covered with electrodes for EWOD actuation.…”

Section: Propulsion Of Objects Floating On Watermentioning

confidence: 99%

Bubble actuation by electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) and its applications: A review

Chung

Rhee

Cho

2010

Int. J. Precis. Eng. Manuf.

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“…Lee et al 8 studied the locomotion of water snails induced by traveling waves at low Reynolds numbers. Chung et al 6 were inspired by beetle larvae's locomotion and developed a centimeter-sized boat attached with electrodes based on electrowetting-on-dielectrics (EWOD) principles to control surface tensions and demonstrated boat maneuvers on a water surface. Mita et al 3 experimentally demonstrated the propulsion of small water-floating objects using microbubbles created by electrolysis and transported by EWOD actuation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hence, alternative approaches have been developed that are mainly based on capillary forces and electrokinetic methods. 3,6 The previous researches on micro-propulsion mechanisms mostly focused on underwater objects, and studies on the propulsion of water-floating objects are few. Hu et al 7 studied the motion mechanisms of small water-walking insects such as water spiders, while other research groups 3,4,6 demonstrated the propulsion of artificially constructed water striders.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Propulsion of water-floating objects by acoustically oscillating microbubbles

Won

Lee

et al. 2011

Int. J. Precis. Eng. Manuf.

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In this paper, novel propulsion of micro/millimeter-sized water-floating objects has been experimentally demonstrated. When an acoustic wave propagates onto air bubbles in a liquid medium, the bubbles oscillate and generate cavitational microstreaming flows; this can be used to propel small water-floating objects. This propulsion concept is simple, but the propulsion can provide sufficient force to propel the water-floating objects without electrical connecting wires and mechanical moving parts. In this study, we prepared open-box-type micro/millimeter-sized objects using a thin Al film. We then experimentally realized linear and rotational motions and two-dimensional maneuvers on the surface of water. The effects of the frequency of the acoustic wave and the applied voltage on the motions are quantified with the bubble oscillation amplitude using high speed images. Such water-floating objects propelled by oscillating microbubbles can be integrated with cameras and sensors and used in environment monitoring systems or surveillance security systems.

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“…Gradients in surface tension can be produced electrically, chemically, optically, or thermally . In engineered systems, fluid transport using electric fields to cause surface tension gradeints has been widely applied . By using electrically conductive fluids, applied electric potentials will alter the apparent surface tension at a liquid–solid interface.…”

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confidence: 99%

Temperature Gradients Drive Bulk Flow Within Microchannel Lined by Fluid–Fluid Interfaces

Amador

Tabak

Alapan

et al. 2019

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Surface tension gradients induce Marangoni flow, which may be exploited for fluid transport. At the micrometer scale, these surface‐driven flows can be quite significant. By introducing fluid–fluid interfaces along the walls of microfluidic channels, bulk fluid flows driven by temperature gradients are observed. The temperature dependence of the fluid–fluid interfacial tension appears responsible for these flows. In this report, the design concept for a biocompatible microchannel capable of being powered by solar irradiation is provided. Using microscale particle image velocimetry, a bulk flow generated by apparent surface tension gradients along the walls is observed. The direction of flow relative to the imposed temperature gradient agrees with the expected surface tension gradient. The phenomenon's ability to replace bulky peripherals, like traditional syringe pumps, on a diagnostic microfluidic device that captures and detects leukocyte subpopulations within blood is demonstrated. Such microfluidic devices may be implemented for clinical assays at the point of care without the use of electricity.

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Electrowetting propulsion of water-floating objects

Cited by 37 publications

References 21 publications

Bubble actuation by electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) and its applications: A review

Bubble actuation by electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) and its applications: A review

Propulsion of water-floating objects by acoustically oscillating microbubbles

Temperature Gradients Drive Bulk Flow Within Microchannel Lined by Fluid–Fluid Interfaces

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