INS4-0127
Condensation-Driven Dynamic Structural Colors on Wettability-Patterned Surfaces
Topic
S4. Colloids, Interfaces, and Molecular Assemblies for Functional Soft Materials
When and Where
Sep 29, 2026
16:50 - 17:15
Room 106
Session Chairs
Taehyoung KIM
Presenter(s)
Shin-Hyun Kim (Korea Advanced Insitute of Science and Technology)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Structural colors generated by microdroplets provide a promising route for dynamic optical displays, sensing, and information encoding. Here, we present a condensation-programmed structural coloration platform based on wettability-patterned surfaces containing periodic arrays of hydrophilic domains. Under a constant vapor supply, water selectively condenses on the patterned hydrophilic domains and forms microdroplets that act as optical microresonators, producing vivid structural colors. By independently controlling the diameter and spacing of the domains, the optical response can be spatially and temporally programmed. Domain diameter primarily determines the color state through droplet geometry, whereas domain spacing governs the rate of color evolution by controlling the distribution of condensed water among individual droplets. As a result, identical color trajectories can be executed at different speeds without altering environmental conditions. Using density-modulated patterns, we demonstrate the generation of multicolor images, time-dependent optical transitions, and rewritable graphics based solely on condensation and evaporation. This geometry-guided strategy establishes a simple and scalable approach for programming dynamic structural colors, offering new opportunities for adaptive photonic surfaces and information encryption.
