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Manipulation and control of droplets on surfaces in a homogeneous electric field

Author

Listed:
  • Johannes Hartmann

    (Technische Universität Darmstadt, Fachbereich Maschinenbau, Fachgebiet Nano- und Mikrofluidik)

  • Maximilian T. Schür

    (Technische Universität Darmstadt, Fachbereich Maschinenbau, Fachgebiet Nano- und Mikrofluidik)

  • Steffen Hardt

    (Technische Universität Darmstadt, Fachbereich Maschinenbau, Fachgebiet Nano- und Mikrofluidik)

Abstract

A method to manipulate and control droplets on a surface is presented. The method is based on inducing electric dipoles inside the droplets using a homogeneous external electric field. It is shown that the repulsive dipole force efficiently suppresses the coalescence of droplets moving on a liquid-infused surface (LIS). Using a combination of experiments, numerical computations and semi-analytical models, the dependence of the repulsion force on the droplet volumes, the distance between the droplets and the electric field strength is revealed. The method allows to suppress coalescence in complex multi-droplet flows and is real-time adaptive. When the electric field strength exceeds a critical value, tip streaming from the droplets sets in. Based on that, it becomes possible to withdraw minute samples from an array of droplets in a parallel process.

Suggested Citation

  • Johannes Hartmann & Maximilian T. Schür & Steffen Hardt, 2022. "Manipulation and control of droplets on surfaces in a homogeneous electric field," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-27879-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27879-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Ruotong Zhang & Chengzhi Zhang & Xiaoxue Fan & Christina C. K. Au Yeung & Huiyanchen Li & Haisong Lin & Ho Cheung Shum, 2024. "A droplet robotic system enabled by electret-induced polarization on droplet," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Agustin D. Pizarro & Claudio L. A. Berli & Galo J. A. A. Soler-Illia & Martín G. Bellino, 2022. "Droplets in underlying chemical communication recreate cell interaction behaviors," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.

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