On-Chip Liquid Manipulation via a Flexible Dual-Layered Channel Possessing Hydrophilic/Hydrophobic Dichotomy

The hydrophilic/hydrophobic cooperative interface provides a smart platform to control liquid distribution and delivery. Through the fusion of flexibility and complex structure, we present a manipulable, open, and dual-layered liquid channel (MODLC) for on demand mechanical control of fluid delivery. Driven by anisotropic Laplace pressure, the mechano-controllable asymmetric channel of MODLC can propel the directional slipping of liquid located between the paired tracks. Upon a single press, the longest transport distance can reach 10 cm with an average speed of similar to 3 cm/s. The liquid on the MODLC can be immediately manipulated by pressing or dragging processes, and versatile liquid-manipulating processes on hierarchical MODLC chips have been achieved, including remote droplet magneto-control, continuous liquid distributor, and gas-producing chip. The flexible hydrophilic/hydrophobic interface and its assembly can extend the function and applications of the wettability-patterned interface, which should update our understanding of complex systems for sophisticated liquid transport.

Automated summary

The hydrophilic/hydrophobic cooperative interface provides a smart platform for controlling liquid distribution and delivery. By combining flexibility and complex structure, a manipulable, open, and dual-layered liquid channel (MODLC) has been developed for on-demand mechanical control of fluid delivery. The MODLC features a mechano-controllable asymmetric channel driven by anisotropic Laplace pressure, enabling directional slipping of liquid between paired tracks. Various liquid-manipulating processes, such as remote droplet magneto-control, continuous liquid distributor, and gas-producing chip, have been achieved on hierarchical MODLC chips.