Journal title
Physical Review Letters
DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.122.074503
Issue
7
Last updated
2024-09-17T23:33:49.4+01:00
Abstract
We demonstrate "bendotaxis," a novel mechanism for droplet self-transport at small scales. A combination of bending and capillarity in a thin channel causes a pressure gradient that, in turn, results in the spontaneous movement of a liquid droplet. Surprisingly, the direction of this motion is always the same, regardless of the wettability of the channel. We use a combination of experiments at a macroscopic scale and a simple mathematical model to study this motion, focusing in particular on the timescale associated with the motion. We suggest that bendotaxis may be a useful means of transporting droplets in technological applications, e.g., in developing self-cleaning surfaces, and discuss the implications of our results for such applications.
Symplectic ID
965679
Submitted to ORA
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Publication type
Journal Article
Publication date
01 Feb 2019