Enhanced Imbibition in Liquid-Infused Coated Microchannels

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Fluid Dynamics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Spontaneous capillary imbibition is crucial for micro and nanodevices, offering passive fluid transport.
• High viscous friction from channel walls limits the speed and efficiency of imbibition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally investigate the effect of liquid lubricants on spontaneous capillary imbibition speed.
• To reduce viscous friction and enhance fluid flow in micro/nanoscale channels.

Main Methods:

• Experimental demonstration of infusing channel walls with liquid lubricants.
• Systematic variation of lubricant viscosity.
• Measurement of imbibition time and viscous friction reduction.

Main Results:

• Infusing channel walls with lubricants substantially accelerates the imbibition process.
• Viscous friction is significantly reduced by the liquid lubricant.
• Imbibition time was reduced by up to 50% with optimized lubricant viscosity.

Conclusions:

• Liquid lubrication is an effective strategy to overcome viscous friction in spontaneous capillary imbibition.
• This approach offers a pathway to enhanced performance of micro and nanodevices relying on passive fluid transport.
• Experimental findings align with theoretical predictions, validating the lubrication framework.