Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2025

Measurements of Local Instantaneous Convective Heat Transfer in a Pipe - Single and Two-phase Flow
Published on: April 30, 2018
Regulation of Liquid Self-Transport Through Architectural-Thermal Coupling: Transitioning From Free Surfaces to Open
Qingwen Dai1,2, Chengxuan Du1,2, Wei Huang1,2
1National Key Laboratory of Helicopter Aeromechanics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China.
Abstract:
In this work, the regulation of liquid self-transport is achieved through architectural and thermal coupling, transitioning from free surfaces to open channels. Hierarchical structures inspired by the skin of a Texas horned lizard are designed, with the primary structure of wedged grooves and the secondary structure of capillary crura. This design enables advantages including long-distance self-transport, liquid storage and active reflux management on free surfaces, directional transportation, synthesis and detection of reagents in confined spaces, as well as controllable motion and enhanced heat dissipation in open channels. The regulation capacity can be precisely controlled by adjusting the secondary capillary crura and external thermal gradients. The regulation mechanism is further elucidated through microscopic flow observation and a deduced theoretical model. The proposed structures are expected to introduce a new concept for designing lubrication systems, microfluidic chips, methods for chemical synthesis, and heat transfer in the future.
Related Concept Videos
Reynolds Transport Theorem
Control Volume and System Representations
The control volume approach considers a stationary region in space through which fluid flows. This region is bounded by a control surface. For instance, in the case of water...
Conduction, Convection and Radiation: Problem Solving
In order to solve a problem related to heat transfer, first of all, the situation needs to be examined to determine the type of heat transfer involved. This could...
Mechanisms of Heat Transfer II
Conservation of Mass in Finite Cotrol Volume
A system is defined as a collection of unchanging contents, and the conservation of mass states that a system's mass is constant.
Temperature and Thermal Equilibrium
The concept of temperature has evolved from the common concepts of hot and cold. The scientific definition of temperature explains more than just our sense of hot and cold. Temperature is operationally defined as the quantity measured with a thermometer. Furthermore, temperature is...

