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Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Laser Micromachining for Polymer Surface Topography Design
Published on: September 19, 2025
Three-Dimensional Multifunctional Magnetically Responsive Liquid Manipulator Fabricated by Femtosecond Laser Writing
Shaojun Jiang1, Yanlei Hu1, Hao Wu1
1CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China.
Abstract:
Nature-inspired magnetically responsive intelligent topography surfaces have attracted considerable attention owing to their controllable droplet manipulation abilities. However, it is still challenging for magnetically responsive surfaces to realize three-dimensional (3D) droplet/multidroplet transport in both horizontal and vertical directions. Additionally, the droplet horizontal propulsion speed needs to be improved. In this work, a 3D droplet/multidroplet transport strategy based on magnetically responsive microplates array (MMA) actuated by a spatially varying and periodic magnetic field is proposed. The modified superhydrophobic surface can transport droplets rapidly both in horizontal and vertical directions, and it can even realize against-gravity upslope propulsion. The rapid horizontal droplet propulsion (∼58.6 mm/s) is ascribed to the abrupt inversion of the modified surface induced by the specific magnetic field. Furthermore, the nonmagnetically responsive microplates (NMMs)/MMA composite surface is constructed to realize 3D multidroplet manipulation. The implementations of MMA in manipulation of continuous fluids and liquid metal are further demonstrated, providing a valuable platform for microfluidic applications.
