Magnetic-actuated "capillary container" for versatile three-dimensional fluid interface manipulation

Yiyuan Zhang, Zhandong Huang, Zheren Cai, Yuqing Ye, Zheng Li, Feifei Qin, Junfeng Xiao, Dongxing Zhang, Qiuquan Guo, Yanlin Song, Jun Yang

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Fluid interfaces are omnipresent in nature. Engineering the fluid interface is essential to study interfacial processes for basic research and industrial applications. However, it remains challenging to precisely control the fluid interface because of its fluidity and instability. Here, we proposed a magnetic-actuated "capillary container"to realize three-dimensional (3D) fluid interface creation and programmable dynamic manipulation. By wettability modification, 3D fluid interfaces with predesigned sizes and geometries can be constructed in air, water, and oils. Multiple motion modes were realized by adjusting the container's structure and magnetic field. Besides, we demonstrated its feasibility in various fluids by performing selective fluid collection and chemical reaction manipulations. The container can also be encapsulated with an interfacial gelation reaction. Using this process, diverse free-standing 3D membranes were produced, and the dynamic release of riboflavin (vitamin B2) was studied. This versatile capillary container will provide a promising platform for open microfluidics, interfacial chemistry, and biomedical engineering.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbereabi7498
JournalScience advances
Volume7
Issue number34
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2021
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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