Bioinspired Unidirectional Liquid Spreading Channel–Principle, Design, and Manufacture. Issue 4 (14th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Xiangyu; Wang, Dongyue; Zhang, Yixuan; Zhang, Deyuan; Li, Zeming; Liu, Hao
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials interfaces. Volume 7:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-01-14
• Subjects: concave curvature edge -- mechanical cutting -- Nepenthes alata -- unidirectional liquid spreading; Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/admi.201901791
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2196-7350

Abstract

Abstract: Liquid unidirectional spreading without energy input has attracted worldwide attentions owing to its potential applications in various fields. The liquid transfer between the adjacent microcavities on the peristome of Nepenthes alata provides great inspiration in that the concave curvature edge structure has the possibility to induce liquid directional spreading. Herein, the effect of concave curvature edge on liquid spreading is found to be different from that of the solid edge described by the Gibbs inequality condition. In this condition, there exist two liquid transfer states, namely conduction and resistance. Taking the advantages of the concave curvature edge, a new unidirectional liquid spreading channel is designed and fabricated by the traditional machining method, and its liquid directional spreading function is validated. This article provides a theoretical and technical support for the design and fabrication of liquid unidirectional spreading channel without an external energy input. Abstract : The concave curvature solid edge is found to possess the ability to induce asymmetric liquid spreading. The mechanism is explored in terms of potential energy. Taking the advantage of the concave curvature edge, a novel unidirectional liquid‐spreading channel is designed and fabricated by the mechanical cutting. In addition, the design principles of unidirectional channels are summarized.