title: Electrically controlled membranes exploiting Cassie-Wenzel wetting transitions.
abstract: We report electrically controlled membranes which become permeable when an electrical field is exerted on a droplet deposited on the membrane. Micro-porous polycarbonate membranes are obtained with the breath-figures assembly technique, using micro-scaled stainless steel gauzes as supports. The membranes demonstrate pronounced Cassie-Baxter wetting. Air cushions trapped by the droplet prevent water penetration through the membrane. We demonstrate two possibilities for controlling the permeability of the membrane, namely contact and non-contact scenarios. When an electrical field is exerted on a droplet deposited on the membrane, the triple-line is de-pinned and the wetting transition occurs in the non-contact scheme. Thus, the membrane becomes permeable. The contact scheme of the permeability control is based on the electrowetting phenomenon.
authors.affiliation: 1] Ariel University, Physics Faculty, 40700, P.O.B. 3, Ariel, Israel [2] Ariel University, Department of Chemical & Biotechnology Engineering, P.O.B. 3, 40700, Ariel, Israel.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bormashenko
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pogreb
authors.forename: Sagi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balter
authors.forename: Doron
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aurbach