A Universal Way to Manipulate Droplet by Light-fueled Thermocapillary Convection
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초록
내용
Thermocapillary convection induced by light achieves the precise motion of liquid droplets. This method, however, has required photo-responsive additives, which hinder widespread implementation of light-driven droplet manipulation. Herein, we introduce a strategy to control droplet on liquid repellent surfaces using a light with a wavelength in the mid-infrared region. Based on photothermal conversion, localized heating of droplet surface produces highly effective thermocapillary convection within milli seconds scales, allowing a fine control of droplet transport. This method facilitates droplet manipulation on liquid repellent surfaces with tunable velocity and direction, as well as arbitrary trajectories in a 2D plane, leading to simple movement, merging, and even anti-gravity motion. Our findings present a promising paradigm that overcomes the limitation of previous methods by eliminating the photo-responsive additives, broadening the potential applications of droplet manipulation.