High-speed transport of liquid droplets in magnetic tubular microactuators

Lei, Wenwei; Hou, Guangjin; Liu, Mingjie; Rong, Qinfeng; Xu, Yichao; Tian, Ye; Jiang, Lei

doi:10.1126/sciadv.aau8767

Cited by 82 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…First, most of the reported MRSs can only handle relatively large droplets, typically a few microliters in volume, although manipulation of even smaller droplets (e.g., a few nanoliters in volume) is important in microfluidic applications. [49,92] Second, it is still difficult to use MRSs to perform some specific operations on nonmagnetic droplets, such as dispensing and splitting, which are fundamental to digital microfluidic applications. [50,90,93] The MRSs based on infused ferrofluid might be suitable for handling small droplets due to their extremely low hysteresis forces, which could be overcome by the driving forces in such occasions (e.g., magnetic forces or capillary forces).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[92,93] Lei et al fabricated a magnetic tubular microactuator, the upper part of which could be deformed by a magnetic field (Figure 9d). [92,93] Lei et al fabricated a magnetic tubular microactuator, the upper part of which could be deformed by a magnetic field (Figure 9d).…”

Section: Magnetic Surfaces With Switchable Local Topology (Dent or Rimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[50,55,92] MRSs can not only control droplets on 2D surfaces, but also transport droplets between different surfaces. [50,55,92] MRSs can not only control droplets on 2D surfaces, but also transport droplets between different surfaces.…”

Section: Droplet-based Microfluidics and Microreactorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Driving a wide range of liquid droplets with controllable velocity (up to 10 cm s −1 ) and direction [92] 3 c) Wrapping ferrofluid layer on aqueous droplets Impregnating a hydrophobized micropost textured surface with an oil-based ferrofluid Manipulation of diamagnetic, conductive, and highly viscous droplets [49] Gradient roughness on ferrofluid-infused surfaces…”

Section: Droplet-based Microfluidics and Microreactorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Magnetoresponsive Surfaces for Manipulation of Nonmagnetic Liquids: Design and Applications

Zhou

Huang

Tian

2019

Adv Funct Materials

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Magnetic actuation provides a remote, nondestructive, and real-time way for controllable liquid manipulation, which has promising technological applications for areas ranging from digital microfluidics, biochemical assays, and microreactors, to liquid collection. However, conventional magnetic liquid manipulation usually relies on incorporating magnetic particles into a liquid to empower its motion in response to an external magnetic field, resulting in considerable limitations of magnetic actuation in various applications. Recently, a range of magnetoresponsive surfaces (MRSs) with elaborately designed surface structures and/or compositions have enabled on-demand liquid manipulation using magnetic fields, even when the liquids do not contain any magnetic particles. Here, the state-of-the-art of MRSs capable of manipulation of nonmagnetic liquids is reviewed. Their preparation, different manipulation modes, including directed propulsion, spreading, and rebound, and the underlying working mechanisms are discussed. Based on the working principles, MRSs are classified into three categories, including surfaces with magnetic bendable microstructures, surfaces with switchable topographies, and surfaces infused with ferrofluids. Their applications in microfluidics, microreactors, liquid distributors and pumps, fog collection, and anti-icing are presented. Finally, key challenges and the future prospects of MRSs are provided.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Magnetic Surfaces With Switchable Local Topology (Dent or Rimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Droplet-based Microfluidics and Microreactorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Droplet-based Microfluidics and Microreactorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Magnetoresponsive Surfaces for Manipulation of Nonmagnetic Liquids: Design and Applications

Zhou

Huang

Tian

2019

Adv Funct Materials

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“…Having established that light exerts precise control of liquid transportation, we prepared a parallel array of six PFMs to demonstrate their systematic performance (Figure c). Separate control of multiple liquid slugs was achieved by using point light sources and liquid manipulation in a single PFM had no influence on the others, showing more precise control than that in the magnetic tubular microactuators recently reported . For example, the liquid slug in the second PFM was propelled to the left, while liquid slug in the fifth PFM moved to the right.…”

mentioning

confidence: 83%

Light‐Directed Liquid Manipulation in Flexible Bilayer Microtubes

Zhu

Qin

et al. 2019

Small

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Flexible microfluidic systems have potential in wearable and implantable medical applications. Directional liquid transportation in these systems typically requires mechanical pumps, gas tanks, and magnetic actuators. Herein, an alternative strategy is presented for light‐directed liquid manipulation in flexible bilayer microtubes, which are composed of a commercially available supporting layer and the photodeformable layer of a newly designed azobenzene‐containing linear liquid crystal copolymer. Upon moderate visible light irradiation, various liquid slugs confined in the flexible microtubes are driven in the preset direction over a long distance due to photodeformation‐induced asymmetric capillary forces. Several light‐driven prototypes of parallel array, closed‐loop channel, and multiple micropump are established by the flexible bilayer microtubes to achieve liquid manipulation. Furthermore, an example of a wearable device attached to a finger for light‐directed liquid motion is demonstrated in different gestures. These unique photocontrollable flexible microtubes offer a novel concept of wearable microfluidics.

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Magnetic Responsive On‐Site Switching of the Directional Droplet Self‐Transport in Shape Memory Slippery Tube

Wang

Jin

et al. 2023

Adv Funct Materials

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The phenomenon of controlled droplet transport has promising application prospects in various fields. Active droplet transport mode is controllable through continuous external stimuli. By contrast, self‐transport is a more environmentally friendly and energy‐efficient passive transport mode but lacks controllability. In this study, controlled self‐transport is achieved by constructing a shape memory polymer (SMP) tube with a lubricated magnetic‐responsive gel inner surface. The asymmetrical shape of the tube, combined with the lubricated inner surface, enables directional self‐transport of droplets without external stimuli. Furthermore, the resistance on the inner gel surface can be altered by regulating the magnetic field to achieve effective active control during the self‐transport process. Thus, smart in situ control of droplet transport can be achieved by integrating the macroscale shape variation of the tube with the dynamic control of the inner surface microstructure. Owing to the fast magnetic responsivity and in situ controllability of the self‐transport process, the SMP lubricated tube demonstrates the ability to transport a variety of liquids and can be designed as a micro‐reactor for step‐by‐step droplet detection. The findings of this study may provide guidance for the development of intelligent interface materials and microfluidic devices.

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High-speed transport of liquid droplets in magnetic tubular microactuators

Abstract: We report a simple, additive-free method to fabricate asymmetric magnetic tubular microactuators for high-speed liquid transport.

Cited by 82 publications

References 36 publications

Magnetoresponsive Surfaces for Manipulation of Nonmagnetic Liquids: Design and Applications

Magnetoresponsive Surfaces for Manipulation of Nonmagnetic Liquids: Design and Applications

Light‐Directed Liquid Manipulation in Flexible Bilayer Microtubes

Magnetic Responsive On‐Site Switching of the Directional Droplet Self‐Transport in Shape Memory Slippery Tube

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