Spontaneous transport of air bubbles on bioinspired superhydrophilic triangular patterns

Air bubbles are interfacial fluid dynamics phenomena in many natural and technological processes. The dynamics of air bubbles is of interest in many applications. In this study, to facilitate the transport of air bubbles, triangular patterns were used, inspired by conical spines of cactus, which develop Laplace pressure gradient. The effect of various wettabilities and included angles of the triangular patterns on air bubble transport were investigated. The air bubbles can climb even if a pattern is mounted on a vertical plane. The effect of the size of air bubbles was also investigated. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.