Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

On the vibrational excitation of shock-heated air. II. CO as a tracer and its oxidation.

The Journal of chemical physics·2026
Same author

Integrated high-performance microcapsule fire extinguishing system for confined spaces with real-time monitoring and early warning capabilities.

Lab on a chip·2026
Same author

Transforming Fragile Hydrogel Chips Into Standardized Cartridges via Contact Line Pinning for Robust Microfluidics.

Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)·2026
Same author

On the vibrational excitation of shock-heated air. I. CO/O2/Ar mixtures.

The Journal of chemical physics·2025
Same author

Droplet Impact-Based Microliter Viscometry.

Analytical chemistry·2025
Same author

Array-structured microcapsule fibers for efficient fire extinguishing in confined spaces.

Lab on a chip·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Taking Advantage of Reduced Droplet-surface Interaction to Optimize Transport of Bioanalytes in Digital Microfluidics
07:57

Taking Advantage of Reduced Droplet-surface Interaction to Optimize Transport of Bioanalytes in Digital Microfluidics

Published on: November 10, 2014

8.2K

Spontaneous droplet transport on shape-evolving microfiber rails.

Shiyu Wang1, Ying Zhou1, Wenchang Zhao1

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

Nature Communications
|December 4, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Shape-evolving microfiber rails (SEMRs) enable spontaneous droplet motion on surfaces without pre-existing gradients. This novel approach offers steerable transport and independent control over distance and speed, advancing fluidic systems.

More Related Videos

High Throughput Single-cell and Multiple-cell Micro-encapsulation
16:19

High Throughput Single-cell and Multiple-cell Micro-encapsulation

Published on: June 15, 2012

19.1K
High Speed Droplet-based Delivery System for Passive Pumping in Microfluidic Devices
10:22

High Speed Droplet-based Delivery System for Passive Pumping in Microfluidic Devices

Published on: September 2, 2009

14.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Taking Advantage of Reduced Droplet-surface Interaction to Optimize Transport of Bioanalytes in Digital Microfluidics
07:57

Taking Advantage of Reduced Droplet-surface Interaction to Optimize Transport of Bioanalytes in Digital Microfluidics

Published on: November 10, 2014

8.2K
High Throughput Single-cell and Multiple-cell Micro-encapsulation
16:19

High Throughput Single-cell and Multiple-cell Micro-encapsulation

Published on: June 15, 2012

19.1K
High Speed Droplet-based Delivery System for Passive Pumping in Microfluidic Devices
10:22

High Speed Droplet-based Delivery System for Passive Pumping in Microfluidic Devices

Published on: September 2, 2009

14.2K

Area of Science:

  • Fluid dynamics
  • Materials science
  • Surface science

Background:

  • Traditional droplet motion relies on static surface gradients, limiting control over direction, distance, and speed.
  • Existing methods face constraints due to fixed transport pathways and interdependent motion parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce a novel method for spontaneous droplet transport on non-gradient surfaces.
  • To develop shape-evolving microfiber rails (SEMRs) capable of dynamic gradient generation for droplet manipulation.

Main Methods:

  • Development of shape-evolving microfiber rails (SEMRs) inspired by a domino-like mechanism.
  • Utilizing droplet-surface interactions to induce dynamic shape deformations and generate cascading gradients.
  • Demonstrating steerable droplet motion and independent control over transport parameters.

Main Results:

  • SEMRs enable spontaneous directional droplet motion on initially non-gradient surfaces.
  • Dynamic gradient generation through SEMR shape evolution allows for adaptive transport.
  • Achieved independent control over droplet transport distance and velocity, diverging from static-gradient limitations.

Conclusions:

  • SEMRs offer a versatile platform for advanced fluidic control, overcoming limitations of static-gradient approaches.
  • The adaptive nature of SEMRs allows for on-demand performance optimization and design flexibility.
  • This technology holds potential for diverse applications in analytical chemistry, cargo transport, electronics, and diagnostics.