Critical conditions for organic thread cutting under electric fields. Issue 10 (15th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yin, Shuai; Huang, Yi; Wong, Teck Neng
• Is Part Of: Soft matter. Volume 17:Issue 10(2021)
• Page Start: 2913
• Page End: 2919
• Publication Date: 2021-02-15
• Subjects: Soft condensed matter -- Periodicals; 530.413
• DOI: 10.1039/d0sm02078h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-683X

Abstract

Abstract : Critical conditions with electric capillary number are investigated for triggering the on-demand cutting of an organic thread in a microchannel under electric fields. Abstract : Conditions for triggering the cutting of organic samples under an AC electric field are investigated in a microchannel to explore the strategy for organic sample manipulation. Based on the nature of triggering and developing instability at liquid interfaces, in combination with an equivalent electric circuit model, a novel electric capillary number method is proposed as a comprehensive critical condition for the cutting. We uncover the physics behind cutting and non-cutting of an organic thread for different electric frequencies, electric properties of fluid, and width of the organic thread. The critical time required and the critical cutting position are studied to offer guidelines for accurate cutting. Higher electric frequency and higher permittivity of the aqueous phase surrounding the organic phase can reduce the voltage required for cutting. In summary, the newly defined electric capillary number is proved to be a comprehensive criterion for determining the cutting phenomena, which is capable of considering the interfacial tension, the electric permittivity and the electric field strength applied. The results offer applicable references for achieving efficient and accurate cutting of organic samples in practical applications.