Chinese brushes: controllable liquid transfer in ratchet conical hairs.
The controllable liquid transfer of a Chinese brush is attributable to the unique anisotropic multi-scale structures of the freshly emergent hairs. A large mass of liquid an be dynamically balanced within the brush as a cooperative effect of the Laplace pressure difference, the asymmetrical retention force, and gravity. Inspired by this, a device is developed with parallel hairs that allows for direct writing of micro-lines.
Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial, Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China.
Qianbin
Q
Wang
Bin
B
Su
Huan
H
Liu
Lei
L
Jiang
D000818:Animals; D002197:Capillary Action; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007281:Ink; D008422:Materials Testing; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000379:methods*; D008845:Microinjections / Q000379:methods*; D045969:Mustelidae; D010151:Paintings; D012827:Silicone Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
D012827:Silicone Oils
Chinese brush; anisotropic multi-scale structures; dynamic wetting; liquid transfer