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Crassula-inspired surface architecture for programmable liquid navigation
Youhao Yang1, Yuanhao Yu1, Yuhan Song1
1State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
Materials Horizons
|July 31, 2026
Summary
Researchers created a 3D-printed surface that mimics Crassula plants, enabling programmable directional liquid transport. This innovation is key for advanced microfluidics and flexible electronics, overcoming previous control challenges.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Engineering
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Directional liquid transport is vital for natural processes and technologies like microfluidics and flexible electronics.
- Current methods struggle with stable and programmable control of liquid movement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel surface architecture for programmable directional liquid transport.
- To investigate the factors influencing liquid transport behavior on engineered surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a 3D-printed Crassula-inspired surface architecture (CISA) using 3D printing.
- Experimental testing with liquids of varying surface tension and wettability.
- Modification of CISA with CuGa2 for liquid metal transport.
Main Results:
- CISA allows switching of liquid spreading direction by tuning structural parameters.
- Transport behavior depends on coupled structural and wettability effects.
- Modified CISA enables precise directional transport of liquid metals like eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn).
Conclusions:
- The CISA offers a versatile platform for controlled liquid manipulation.
- Demonstrated potential for anti-gravity transport, programmable routing, and microfluidic reactions.
- Presents a new design strategy for flexible devices and integrated microfluidic systems.
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