title: Rapid mixing of viscous liquids by electrical coiling.
abstract: The control for the processing of precursor liquids determines whether the properties and functions of the final material product can be engineered. An inherent challenge of processing viscous liquids arises from their large resistance to deform. Here, we report on the discovery of an electric approach that can significantly contribute to address this challenge. The applied electric force can induce a straight viscous jet to coil, and the resulting coiling characteristics are governed by the electric stress. We demonstrate the promising use of electrical coiling in the rapid and efficient mixing of viscous liquids. Remarkably, the degree of mixing can be precisely adjusted by tuning the applied electric stress. Our approach of controlling the coiling electrically has important implications on applications such as dispensing and printing of resins, printing patterned surfaces and scaffolds, processing of food and generating non-woven fabrics.
authors: Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University, 3688 Nanhai Avenue, Shenzhen 518060, China.|Department of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.|HKU-Zhejiang Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-ZIRI), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311100, China.
authors: Tiantian
authors: T
authors: Kong
authors: Department of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.|HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI), Shenzhen, Guangdong.
authors: Jingmei
authors: J
authors: Li
authors: Department of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.|HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI), Shenzhen, Guangdong.
authors: Zhou
authors: Z
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.
authors: Zhuolong
authors: Z
authors: Zhou
authors: ASM Pacific Technology Ltd, 16 Kung Yip Street, Kwai Chung, Hong Kong.
authors: Peter Hon Yu
authors: PH
authors: Ng
authors: Department of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.|HKU-Zhejiang Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-ZIRI), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311100, China.
authors: Liqiu
authors: L
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.|HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI), Shenzhen, Guangdong.
authors: Ho Cheung
authors: HC
authors: Shum