Open AccessControlling adhesion using AC electric fields across fluid films
Author(s) -
Carla Perez-Martinez,
Timothy S. Groves,
Susan Perkin
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of physics. condensed matter
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.908
H-Index - 228
eISSN - 1361-648X
pISSN - 0953-8984
DOI - 10.1088/1361-648x/ac03d3
Subject(s) - electric field , adhesion , adhesive , surface (topology) , materials science , ionic bonding , surface force , cylinder , nanotechnology , field (mathematics) , mechanics , composite material , physics , mechanical engineering , ion , engineering , mathematics , geometry , layer (electronics) , quantum mechanics , pure mathematics
We demonstrate reversible and switchable actuation using AC electric fields to bring two surfaces separated by a thin film of ionic fluid in and out of adhesive contact. Using a surface force balance we apply electric fields normal to a crossed-cylinder contact and measure directly the adhesive force and surface separation with sub-molecular resolution. Taking advantage of the oscillatory structural force acting between the surfaces across the fluid, which we show to be unaffected by the AC field, we pick between the distinct (quantized) adhesive states through precise tuning of the field. This proof-of-concept indicates exquisite control of surface interactions using an external field.