Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
08:34
Visualization of High Speed Liquid Jet Impaction on a Moving Surface
Published on: April 17, 2015
Motion of liquids on surfaces
1Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University, Oxford, UK. colin.bain@chem.ox.ac.uk
Summary
Researchers highlight new electro- and photochemical methods for actively tuning the Marangoni effect. These techniques enable precise macroscopic liquid manipulation crucial for advancing microfluidic device development.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Surface science
- Microfluidics
Background:
- The Marangoni effect, a phenomenon driven by surface tension gradients, has been known for over a century.
- Macroscopic manipulation of liquids is fundamental to microfluidic device engineering.
- Active control over surface tension effects represents a significant advancement in the field.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare recently developed electro- and photochemical methods for controlling the Marangoni effect.
- To highlight advancements in macroscopic liquid manipulation for microfluidics.
- To showcase the potential of active tuning of surface tension.
Main Methods:
- Review and comparison of electrocapillarity-based methods.
- Analysis of photochemical approaches for surface tension modulation.
- Discussion of techniques enabling macroscopic liquid manipulation.
Main Results:
- Electro- and photochemical methods offer active control over the Marangoni effect.
- These techniques facilitate precise macroscopic liquid manipulation.
- Electrocapillarity, as exemplified by Prins et al., is a key method discussed.
Conclusions:
- Active tuning of the Marangoni effect is achievable through electro- and photochemical means.
- These advancements are critical for the future development of microfluidic devices.
- The highlighted methods offer new possibilities for liquid control in microscale systems.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Surface Tension of Fluid
Surface tension is a fundamental property of fluids, occurring at the boundary between a liquid and a gas or between two immiscible liquids. This phenomenon arises from the cohesive forces between molecules at the fluid's surface, creating an effect similar to a stretched elastic membrane. Inside each fluid, molecules are equally attracted in all directions by neighboring molecules, but surface molecules experience a net inward force, resulting in surface tension.
Surface tension varies with...
Surface tension varies with...
02:57Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity
Surface Tension
The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number...
The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number...
01:19Capillarity in Fluid
Capillarity describes the movement of liquid in small spaces without external forces acting on it. The capillarity is driven by surface tension and adhesive interactions between the liquid and surrounding solid surfaces. This effect is often seen in narrow tubes, porous materials, and fine particles.
Surface tension is crucial to capillarity. It results from cohesive forces between liquid molecules at the liquid-air boundary, forming a skin that resists external forces. When the capillary tube...
Surface tension is crucial to capillarity. It results from cohesive forces between liquid molecules at the liquid-air boundary, forming a skin that resists external forces. When the capillary tube...
01:07Laminar and Turbulent Flow
Fluid dynamics is the study of fluids in motion. Velocity vectors are often used to illustrate fluid motion in applications like meteorology. For example, wind—the fluid motion of air in the atmosphere—can be represented by vectors indicating the speed and direction of the wind at any given point on a map. Another method for representing fluid motion is a streamline. A streamline represents the path of a small volume of fluid as it flows. When the flow pattern changes with time, the streamlines...
01:20Characteristics of Fluids
When a force is applied parallel to the top surface of a solid, it resists the applied force due to the internal frictional forces between the layers of the solid known as shearing resistance. However, when the force is removed, the shearing forces restore the original shape of the solid. Other deformation forces also cause temporary changes in shape if the forces are not beyond a threshold magnitude. Solids tend to retain their shape, making the study of their rest and motion easier. Beyond...
01:31Characteristics of Fluids
Fluids differ from solids primarily in their molecular structure and stress response. Solids have tightly packed molecules with strong intermolecular forces, maintaining their shape and resisting deformation. In contrast, fluids have molecules spaced farther apart with weaker forces, allowing them to flow and deform easily.
Fluids, which include both liquids and gases, are substances that deform continuously under shearing stress. For example, water and oil are liquids with molecules that can...
Fluids, which include both liquids and gases, are substances that deform continuously under shearing stress. For example, water and oil are liquids with molecules that can...