Domino-like water film manipulation with multifunctionality

Abstract

Domino effect is widely known and intuitively understood. Although the concept is frequently used, a few works combine it with liquid manipulation. Liquid manipulation is essential in many fields; however, large-scale liquid manipulation using minimal forces is still a challenge. Here, we show a domino-like liquid manipulation process triggered by wind on heterogeneously wettable surfaces. This effect was demonstrated using velocities of wind between 2.2 and 3.0 m/s on structured surfaces containing water film thickness in the range of 2.5–4.5 mm. The domino dewetting surfaces were shown on various patterned designs with 32–224 mm in length; however, under ideal conditions, the effect could be infinitely transmissible. Such a concept might apply to long-distance directional transportation of floats, and bed bottom dust cleaning. Other designs, such as a branched tree structure, can drive larger objects, and remote circuit interrupters were shown. This method provides an approach for manipulation of water movement by tiny forces triggered toward multifunctionality.