Droplet-based mechanical transducers modulated by the symmetry of wettability patterns

Luanluan Xue, An Li, Huizeng Li (), Xinye Yu, Kaixuan Li, Renxuan Yuan, Xiao Deng, Rujun Li, Quan Liu and Yanlin Song ()
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Luanluan Xue: Chinese Academy of Sciences
An Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Huizeng Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xinye Yu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Kaixuan Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Renxuan Yuan: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xiao Deng: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Rujun Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Quan Liu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yanlin Song: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Asymmetric mechanical transducers have important applications in energy harvesting, signal transmission, and micro-mechanics. To achieve asymmetric transformation of mechanical motion or energy, active robotic metamaterials, as well as materials with asymmetric microstructures or internal orientation, are usually employed. However, these strategies usually require continuous energy supplement and laborious fabrication, and limited transformation modes are achieved. Herein, utilizing wettability patterned surfaces for precise control of the droplet contact line and inner flow, we demonstrate a droplet-based mechanical transducer system, and achieve multimodal responses to specific vibrations. By virtue of the synergistic effect of surface tension and solid-liquid adhesion on the liquid dynamics, the droplet on the patterned substrate can exhibit symmetric/asymmetric vibration transformation when the substrate vibrates horizontally. Based on this, we construct arrayed patterns with distinct arrangements on the substrate, and employ the swarm effect of the arrayed droplets to achieve three-dimensional and multimodal actuation of the target plate under a fixed input vibration. Further, we demonstrate the utilization of the mechanical transducers for vibration management, object transport, and laser modulation. These findings provide a simple yet efficient strategy to realize a multimodal mechanical transducer, which shows significant potential for aseismic design, optical molding, as well as micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS).

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48538-0

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