Capillary origami: superhydrophobic ribbon surfaces and liquid marbles
2011

Capillary Origami: Superhydrophobic Ribbon Surfaces and Liquid Marbles

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): McHale Glen, Newton Michael I, Shirtcliffe Neil J, Geraldi Nicasio R, Barthlott Wilhelm

Primary Institution: Nottingham Trent University

Hypothesis

How can the conditions for spontaneous, capillary-induced folding of a thin ribbon substrate be altered by a rigid surface structure?

Conclusion

The study shows that droplet wrapping can occur with both Cassie-Baxter and Wenzel types of solid-liquid contact.

Supporting Evidence

  • The bending rigidity of a solid elastic plate scales with the cube of its thickness.
  • Capillary origami has implications for creating three-dimensional structures from flat films.
  • Droplet wrapping can occur without evaporation on certain surfaces.
  • The study derives conditions for the transition between Cassie-Baxter and Wenzel droplet wrapping.

Takeaway

This study is about how thin ribbons can change shape when droplets touch them, which can help create new 3D structures.

Methodology

Theoretical analysis of droplet wrapping on thin ribbons and solid grains.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3762/bjnano.2.18

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