Microfluidics operational techniques and engineering applications of liquid marbles 液体弹珠的微流体操作及工程应用

• Main Authors: Pan, Jie, Zhao, Meirong, Sun, Yukai, Lu, Dunqiang, Clarence, Augustine T. H Tee, Song, Le, Zheng, Yelong
• Format: Article
• Published: Editorial Office of Materials Reports 2021
• Subjects: TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/36054/; https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85123456317&doi=10.11896%2fcldb.20060146&partnerID=40&md5=7d907c5624e8a360ad714f9cebbc7842; https://doi.org/10.11896/cldb.20060146

Liquid marbles are a soft matter formed by wrapping hydrophobic microscale particles on the surface of a droplet, and the volume is usually between a few microliters and hundreds of microliters, and is constructed by a structure separating the internal liquid and the carrier through a particle layer in achieving the non-wetting and stable existence of trace liquid on solid or liquid surface effect, which is similar to Leidenfrost droplets but differs from the preparation of super-hydrophobic surfaces by construction of special surface microstructures or chemical modification. Current research has proven that liquid marbles have unique superior physical properties, such as non-viscosity, high elasticity, low friction, slow evaporation, and the ability to interact with external environment. These superior properties enable liquid marbles as the ideal digital microfluidic platform. It has potential applications in microreactors, sensors, pharmaceuticals and other related fields. The preparatory method of liquid marble is relatively simple and does not require complicated instruments or equipment, yet it brings high economic benefits. This paper reviewed and discussed the methods of preparation, structural characteristics and properties of different materials of the liquid marbles, inclusive of the effective surface tension, mechanical stability and evaporation rate. Several mainstream techniques to control the movement and release of liquid marbles had been reviewed and assessed their advantages and disadvantages. The current main applications of liquid marbles in engineering had been reviewed and summarized with their prospects, potential applications and future development trends. © 2021, Materials Review Magazine. All right reserved.