Size-selective deposition and sorting of lyophilic colloidal particles on surfaces of patterned wettability

A highly parallelizable means of positioning or sorting particles in a size-selective manner into arrays is demonstrated based on the placement of particle suspensions on surfaces of patterned wettability and the subsequent evaporation of the suspending solvent. The method relies on creating lyophilic features of dimensions similar to or greater than those of the particles to be arrayed and smaller than those of the particles to be excluded. As the contact line recedes, it fills lyophilic features, creating discrete fluid elements that mimic the underlying lyophilic pattern. The fluid elements have aspect ratios dictated by the contact angle. By adjusting the size of the lyophilic features, the heights of the fluid elements can be adjusted to sequester or exclude particles based on their diameter. The principal interest of this work is its broad applicability. No prior understanding of the particle properties is needed except for the size of the particle and its ability to be suspended in a solvent.