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Manipulating Pico- to Nanoliter Droplets on Surfaces without Sticking
Mizuki Tenjimbayashi1, Shunto Arai2, Hiroshi Mizoguchi1
1Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan.
ACS Nano
|November 6, 2025
Summary
This study presents a novel surface coating using nano-micrometer particles to prevent picoliter droplets from sticking. This breakthrough enables precise manipulation of tiny liquid volumes for advanced microfluidic applications.
Area of Science:
- Surface Science
- Microfluidics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Droplet manipulation is crucial in industries, requiring liquid-repellent surfaces.
- Existing surfaces struggle with precise control of pico- to nanoliter droplets due to sticking.
- Overcoming adhesion is key for advancing microscale liquid handling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate nonsticking properties for pico- to nanoliter droplets on a novel surface.
- To enable precise manipulation and control of ultralow-volume droplets.
- To advance the understanding of droplet behavior at interfaces for microfluidic systems.
Main Methods:
- Coating surfaces with low-surface-energy particles in the nano-micrometer range.
- Utilizing dynamic particle coating via ultrasonic spraying for droplet encapsulation.
- Investigating the change in interfacial friction from solid-liquid to solid-solid.
Main Results:
- Formation of spherical, isolated, particle-coated picoliter droplets.
- Reduction of droplet movement force to the subnanonewton range.
- Demonstration of nonsticking sliding of picoliter droplets on tilted substrates.
Conclusions:
- The particle coating effectively prevents sticking of pico- to nanoliter droplets.
- The method allows complex manipulation including separation, arrangement, and shape reconfiguration.
- This approach offers potential for downsizing fluidic devices and systems.
