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Unidirectional Wetting Properties on Multi‐Bioinspired Magnetocontrollable Slippery Microcilia
Author(s) -
Cao Moyuan,
Jin Xu,
Peng Yun,
Yu Cunming,
Li Kan,
Liu Kesong,
Jiang Lei
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201606869
Subject(s) - wetting , materials science , nanotechnology , anisotropy , magnet , adhesion , surface (topology) , composite material , mechanical engineering , optics , geometry , physics , mathematics , engineering
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.