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Related Concept Videos

Adhesion

Adhesion

Adhesion occurs when one type of molecule is attracted to a different molecule. Water exhibits adhesive properties in the presence of polar surfaces, such as glass or cellulose in plants. For instance, when water is poured into a glass, the positively charged hydrogen molecules of water are more attracted to the negatively charged oxygen molecules in the silica than to the oxygen in neighboring water molecules.
Capillary action is a result of water’s adhesive tendencies. When a narrow...

Capillarity in Fluid

Capillarity 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, Capillary Action, and Viscosity

Surface 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...

Rise of Liquid in a Capillary Tube

Rise of Liquid in a Capillary Tube

When very thin cylindrical tubes, called capillaries, are dipped in a liquid, the liquid rises or falls in the tube compared to the surrounding liquid. This phenomenon is called capillary action. Capillary action occurs due to the combination of two opposing forces: the cohesive forces of the liquid, which cause it to stick to itself and form a rounded shape, and the adhesive forces between the liquid and the walls of the container, which cause the liquid to be attracted to the container walls.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 2, 2025

Experimental Multiscale Methodology for Predicting Material Fouling Resistance

Experimental Multiscale Methodology for Predicting Material Fouling Resistance

Electrically switched underwater capillary adhesion.

Huanxi Zheng¹, Jing Li^1,2, Yongsen Zhou¹

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China.

Nature Communications

|August 6, 2022

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a novel underwater adhesive with rapid, reversible switching. This technology uses patterned surfaces to create air shells, enabling strong adhesion and on-demand detachment via voltage.

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Microtensiometer for Confocal Microscopy Visualization of Dynamic Interfaces

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Published on: September 9, 2022

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Surface Chemistry

Background:

Developing underwater adhesives with rapid and reversible adhesion switching is crucial for industrial and biomedical applications.
Achieving strong underwater adhesion with rapid reversibility remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

To report a simple strategy for achieving strong underwater adhesion with rapid and reversible detachment.
To leverage patterned hybrid wettability for controlled underwater adhesion.

Main Methods:

Designing surfaces with patterned hybrid wettability to create confined integral air shells.
Utilizing the air shells to preserve water bridges and maintain underwater adhesion.
Applying voltage to disturb the air shell integrity for rapid detachment.

Main Results:

Demonstrated strong underwater adhesion between two surfaces.
Achieved rapid and reversible detachment on demand by applying voltage.
Showcased the ability to multiply adhesion strength by introducing multiple air shells.

Conclusions:

The developed strategy offers a robust method for controllable underwater adhesion.
The approach is adaptable to flexible and non-conductive substrates with complex morphologies.
This innovation extends material choices for underwater adhesive applications.