Capillary driven flow in micro scale surface structures

A variety of micro scale surface wicking structures that form open/covered post surfaces and open channels are investigated to probe the effect of the geometry, inter-connectivity, and surface porosity on the wicking efficiency of such surfaces. The surfaces are examined using a capillary rise flow experiment and the study is focused on the Lucas-Washburn flow regime in which capillary forces balance viscous forces. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.