Unidirectional Wetting Properties on Multi‐Bioinspired Magnetocontrollable Slippery Microcilia. Issue 23 (12th April 2017) - Cao, Moyuan
Abstract : Here, a smart fluid‐controlled surface is designed, via the rational integration of the unique properties of three natural examples, i.e., the unidirectional wetting behaviors of butterfly's wing, liquid‐infused "slippery" surface of the pitcher plant, and the motile microcilia of micro‐organisms. Anisotropic wettability, lubricated surfaces, and magnetoresponsive microstructures are assembled into one unified system. The as‐prepared surface covered by tilted microcilia achieves significant unidirectional droplet adhesion and sliding. Regulating by external magnet field, the directionality of ferromagnetic microcilia can be synergistically switched, which facilitates a continuous and omnidirectional‐controllable water delivery. This work opens an avenue for applications of anisotropic wetting surfaces, such as complex‐flow distribution and liquid delivery, and extend the design approach of multi‐bioinspiration integration. Abstract : Three natural inspirations, i.e., butterfly wings, pitcher plants, and microcilia, are integrated into a surface to design multifunctional interface materials. Based on this multi‐bioinspiration, a microcilia surface lubricated by silicone oil is prepared, which achieves unidirectional wetting behavior with magnetocontrollability.