Remote Manipulation of Droplets on a Flexible Magnetically Responsive Film

Jeong Hun Kim, Seong Min Kang, Byung Jun Lee, Hangil Ko, Won Gyu Bae, Kahp Yang Suh, Moon Kyu Kwak, Hoon Eui Jeong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

85 Scopus citations

Abstract

The manipulation of droplets is used in a wide range of applications, from lab-on-a-chip devices to bioinspired functional surfaces. Although a variety of droplet manipulation techniques have been proposed, active, fast and reversible manipulation of pure discrete droplets remains elusive due to the technical limitations of previous techniques. Here, we describe a novel technique that enables active, fast, precise and reversible control over the position and motion of a pure discrete droplet with only a permanent magnet by utilizing a magnetically responsive flexible film possessing actuating hierarchical pillars on the surface. This magnetically responsive surface shows reliable actuating capabilities with immediate field responses and maximum tilting angles of ∼90°. Furthermore, the magnetic responsive film exhibits superhydrophobicity regardless of tilting angles of the actuating pillars. Using this magnetically responsive film, we demonstrate active and reversible manipulation of droplets with a remote magnetic force.

Original languageEnglish
Article number17843
JournalScientific Reports
Volume5
DOIs
StatePublished - 9 Dec 2015

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