Droplet driving structure and preparation method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a droplet driving structure and a preparation method thereof, and relates to the technical field of driving structures. The liquid drop driving structure comprises a series wedge-shaped groove structure; the series wedge-shaped groove structure comprises a plurality of wedge-shaped grooves which are connected in sequence; in the driving direction of liquid drops, the narrow end of one wedge-shaped groove is connected with the wide end of the other wedge-shaped groove; the contact interface of the series wedge-shaped groove structure and the liquid drop is a wettability gradient interface, and the wettability of the contact interface of each wedge-shaped groove and the liquid drop is different, so that the liquid drop is driven to move from the narrow end of one wedge-shaped groove to the wide end of the other wedge-shaped groove. According to the invention, the potential barrier at the joint of the wedge-shaped grooves can be reduced, and continuous driving force is provided for liquid drops, so that the liquid drops move from the narrow end of one wedge-shaped groove to the wide end of the other wedge-shaped groove, the liquid drops are promoted to be better continuously transported, and long-distance continuous transportation of the liquid drops is better realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of drive structures, and in particular to a droplet drive structure and a preparation method thereof. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of science and technology, the application scenarios of droplet actuation are becoming more and more extensive, such as biomedical testing, microfluidic devices, inkjet printing, microreactors, water collection, and hydropower generation.

[0003] At present, in order to make the droplets move spontaneously, a wedge-shaped hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface can be constructed. When a droplet is placed at the narrow end of the wedge-shaped hydrophilic channel, it will spontaneously move along the channel to the wider end, generating a Laplace pressure difference in front and behind the droplet, causing it to continue moving forward. However, a single wedge-shaped structure can only achieve short-distance movement of droplets, which has limitations in scenarios that require long-distance movement. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a droplet driving structure and a preparation method thereof, which are used to solve the defect that the droplet driving structure in the prior art cannot make the droplets move over a long distance, and realize a droplet driving structure that can drive the droplets to move over a long distance.

[0005] The present invention provides a droplet driving structure, comprising: a series-connected wedge-shaped groove structure; The serial wedge groove structure comprises a plurality of wedge grooves connected in sequence; in the driving direction of the droplet, the narrow end of one of the wedge grooves is connected to the wide end of another wedge groove; the contact interface between the serial wedge groove structure and the droplet is a wettability gradient interface, and the wettability of the contact interface between each wedge groove and the droplet is different, so as to drive the droplet to move from the narrow end of one wedge groove to the wide end of another wedge groove; the surface opening of the narrow end of the wedge groove is smaller than the surface opening of the wide end of the wedge groove.

[0006] A droplet driving structure provided according to the present invention further includes: a panel; The series wedge-shaped groove structure is embedded in the panel.

[0007] According to a droplet driving structure provided by the present invention, the hydrophobicity of the panel is greater than that of the series wedge-shaped groove structure.

[0008] According to a droplet driving structure provided by the present invention, the panel is a super-hydrophobic panel, and the serial wedge-shaped groove structure is a hydrophobic serial wedge-shaped groove structure.

[0009] According to a droplet driving structure provided by the present invention, the wedge angle of any of the wedge-shaped grooves is 5°.

[0010] According to a droplet driving structure provided by the present invention, the length of the wide end of any of the wedge-shaped grooves is 10 nanometers, and the length of any of the wedge-shaped grooves in the driving direction of the droplet is 15 nanometers.

[0011] According to a droplet driving structure provided by the present invention, the height of any wedge-shaped groove is greater than 2 nanometers.

[0012] The present invention also provides a method for preparing any of the above droplet drive structures, comprising: In a manner that the narrow end of one wedge-shaped groove is connected to the wide end of another wedge-shaped groove, a plurality of wedge-shaped grooves are connected in sequence to obtain a series-connected wedge-shaped groove structure.

[0013] According to a method for preparing a droplet driving structure provided by the present invention, after connecting a plurality of wedge-shaped grooves in sequence in a manner of connecting the narrow end of one wedge-shaped groove with the wide end of another wedge-shaped groove to obtain a series-connected wedge-shaped groove structure, the preparation method further comprises: The series wedge-shaped groove structure is embedded in the panel.

[0014] The present invention also provides a method for using any of the above droplet driving structures, comprising: The droplet is initially placed at the wide end of the first wedge groove of the serial wedge groove structure, so that the droplet moves from the wide end of the first wedge groove to the narrow end of the first wedge groove, and then moves from the narrow end of the first wedge groove to the wide end of the second wedge groove of the serial wedge groove structure, until it moves to the narrow end of the last wedge groove of the serial wedge groove structure.

[0015] The present invention provides a droplet driving structure and a preparation method thereof, wherein the serial wedge groove structure comprises a plurality of wedge grooves connected in sequence, and in the driving direction of the droplet, the narrow end of one wedge groove is connected to the wide end of another wedge groove, and the contact interface between the serial wedge groove structure and the droplet is a wettability gradient interface, that is, the wettability of the contact interface between each wedge groove and the droplet is different, that is, the wettability on the interface presents a step-like change, which can reduce the potential barrier at the connection of the wedge grooves, and can also provide a continuous driving force for the droplet, so as to promote the continuous transportation of the droplet better and better realize the continuous transportation of the droplet over a long distance; at the same time, in order to realize the long-distance movement of the droplet, it is not necessary for a single wedge groove to be too long in the driving direction of the droplet, that is, it can be realized that the width of the serial wedge groove structure is independent of the length, and the width of the serial wedge groove structure will not be too large, so that the continuous transportation of the droplet over a long distance can be realized while reducing the mass loss caused by the diffusion of the droplet and ensuring the transmission rate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present invention or the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0017] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the droplet driving structure provided by the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a simulation schematic diagram of the droplet driving structure provided by the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a schematic flow chart of the method for preparing the droplet driving structure provided by the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a schematic flow chart of a method for using the droplet driving structure provided by the present invention.

[0021] 1. Wedge-shaped groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, which are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0024] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0025] In the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" or "above" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0026] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction. In addition, the term "plurality" means including two or more.

[0027] With the rapid development of science and technology, and the movement of droplets is also indispensable in many scenarios, the application scenarios of droplet-driven structures are becoming more and more extensive, for example, biomedical testing, microfluidic devices, inkjet printing, microreactors, water collection, and hydropower generation.

[0028] Many special structures can enable water to flow spontaneously in a directional manner; for example, surfaces with gradients in physical or chemical properties, or a combination of both, such as patterned wettability surfaces, charge density gradient surfaces, conical or wedge-shaped structured surfaces, etc., thereby providing a driving force for the movement of droplets.

[0029] Currently, in order to make droplets move spontaneously, a wedge-shaped wettability surface can be constructed (a wedge-shaped hydrophilic channel is embedded in a hydrophobic panel). When a droplet is placed at the narrower end of the wedge-shaped opening, it will spontaneously move along the wedge-shaped channel toward the wider end, generating a Laplace pressure difference in front and behind the droplet, causing it to continue moving forward. However, since the wedge angle is fixed, the width of the wedge channel is proportional to its length. If long-distance drive of droplets is required, the length of the wedge channel needs to be particularly long, which results in a particularly large width of the wedge channel. Therefore, while the droplets propagate along the length direction of the wedge channel, they also propagate along the width direction of the wedge channel, that is, the propagation direction of the droplets cannot be well controlled, thereby reducing the transmission efficiency of the droplets. In addition, when the droplets propagate and diffuse along the width direction of the wedge channel, mass loss is likely to occur. When the droplets propagate to the wider end, the difference in apparent contact angles decreases, resulting in a decrease in the internal Laplace pressure difference, and thus the transmission rate will also decrease, making it impossible to achieve continuous transportation. Based on this, a single wedge channel can only achieve short-distance movement of droplets, which has limitations in scenarios where long-distance movement is required. Therefore, how to drive droplets to move over long distances is a problem that needs to be solved urgently.

[0030] In view of the above problems, the present invention proposes the following embodiments. Figure 1-Figure 2 The droplet driving structure of the present invention is described.

[0031] The droplet driving structure includes a series of wedge-shaped groove structures.

[0032] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the droplet drive structure provided by the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the serial wedge-shaped groove structure includes a plurality of wedge-shaped grooves 1 connected in sequence. In the driving direction of the droplet, the narrow end of one wedge-shaped groove 1 is connected to the wide end of another wedge-shaped groove 1, and the contact interface between the serial wedge-shaped groove structure and the droplet is a wettability gradient interface. The wettability of the contact interface between each wedge-shaped groove 1 and the droplet is different, so as to drive the droplet to move from the narrow end of one wedge-shaped groove 1 to the wide end of another wedge-shaped groove 1. The surface opening of the narrow end of the wedge-shaped groove 1 is smaller than the surface opening of the wide end of the wedge-shaped groove 1.

[0033] It should be understood that the contact interface between the serially connected wedge-shaped groove structure and the droplet is a wettability gradient interface, that is, the wettability of the contact interface between each wedge-shaped groove 1 and the droplet is different, that is, the wettability on the interface presents a step-like change, therefore, the attraction of the wide end of the wedge-shaped groove 1 at the connection to the droplet is greater than the attraction of the narrow end of the wedge-shaped groove 1 to the droplet, thereby driving the droplet to move from the narrow end of one wedge-shaped groove 1 to the wide end of another wedge-shaped groove 1. Based on this, by using a plurality of sequentially connected wedge-shaped grooves 1, the length of a single wedge-shaped groove 1 in the driving direction of the droplet does not need to be too long to achieve long-distance movement of the droplet, that is, the width of the serially connected wedge-shaped groove structure is independent of the length, that is, the width of the serially connected wedge-shaped groove structure will not be too large, thereby reducing the mass loss caused by the diffusion of the droplet, that is, the droplet mainly moves along the length direction of the serially connected wedge-shaped groove structure.

[0034] In one embodiment, the width of any wedge-shaped groove 1 is small and the contact interface with the droplet is a hydrophobic interface, so that the droplet moves on the hydrophobic interface in a Cassie wetting state, which not only reduces the contact area between the droplet and the interface and thus reduces the friction, but also reduces the mass loss of the droplet.

[0035] It should be noted that the wedge-shaped groove 1 is different from the wedge-shaped wettable surface. The wedge-shaped wettable surface is a two-dimensional plane, while the wedge-shaped groove 1 is a three-dimensional structure. On the wedge-shaped wettable surface, the droplet moves from the narrow end to the wide end; the droplet in the embodiment of the present invention is on the surface of the wedge-shaped groove 1, showing a Cassie wetting state, and then moves from the wide end to the narrow end.

[0036] In one embodiment, any wedge-shaped groove 1 is constructed by a hydrophobic device, so that the hydrophobicity of the contact interface between the wedge-shaped groove 1 and the droplet is better, thereby reducing the interfacial resistance of the droplet, increasing the transmission rate of the droplet, and realizing the long-distance movement of the droplet.

[0037] In one embodiment, the wedge angle of any wedge-shaped groove 1 is 0.1° to 10°, so as to avoid the width of a single wedge-shaped groove 1 being too large, thereby reducing the mass loss caused by droplet diffusion.

[0038] In one embodiment, the length of the wide end of any wedge-shaped groove 1 is 10 nanometers, ensuring that the width of a single wedge-shaped groove 1 is small, thereby reducing mass loss caused by droplet diffusion; and in the simulation process of the droplet drive structure, there is no need for too large a size, thereby reducing the amount of calculation.

[0039] In one embodiment, in order to make the droplet move in the groove track, the hydrophobicity of the contact interface between the series wedge-shaped groove structure and the droplet (inside the groove track) is lower than the hydrophobicity of the outer edge of the groove track.

[0040] It should be noted that the droplet drive structure can be applied to biomedical testing, microfluidic devices, inkjet printing, microreactors, water collection, and hydropower generation, which will not be described in detail here.

[0041] The droplet driving structure provided by the embodiment of the present invention has a serial wedge groove structure including a plurality of wedge grooves connected in sequence, and in the driving direction of the droplet, the narrow end of one wedge groove is connected to the wide end of another wedge groove, and the contact interface between the serial wedge groove structure and the droplet is a wettability gradient interface, that is, the wettability of the contact interface between each wedge groove and the droplet is different, that is, the wettability on the interface presents a step-like change, which can reduce the potential barrier at the connection of the wedge grooves, and also can provide a continuous driving force for the droplet, so as to promote the continuous transportation of the droplet better and better realize the long-distance continuous transportation of the droplet; at the same time, in order to realize the long-distance movement of the droplet, it is not necessary for a single wedge groove to be too long in the driving direction of the droplet, that is, it can be realized that the width of the serial wedge groove structure is independent of the length, and the width of the serial wedge groove structure will not be too large, so that the long-distance continuous transportation of the droplet can be realized while reducing the mass loss caused by the diffusion of the droplet and ensuring the transmission rate.

[0042] Based on any of the above embodiments, the droplet driving structure further includes: a panel, and the series wedge-shaped groove structure is embedded in the panel.

[0043] In one embodiment, the panel is a hydrophobic panel having a hydrophobic surface so that the droplets form a larger contact angle thereon, thereby reducing the adhesion of water and the resistance of the interface to the droplets, thereby increasing the transmission rate of the droplets.

[0044] Furthermore, the panel is a super-hydrophobic panel, and its surface has a very high repellency to droplets, so that the droplets will not spread on the surface, but remain spherical, thereby achieving the rolling of the droplets, that is, increasing the transmission rate of the droplets. For example, the surface of the super-hydrophobic panel is composed of a rough structure at the micro-nano scale and chemical substances with low surface energy. In other words, the droplets move in a Cassie wetting state on the super-hydrophobic panel, that is, tiny bubbles of gas or steam are formed between the droplets and the solid surface, so that the liquid only partially contacts the solid surface, so that the contact area between the droplets and the solid surface is small, and the droplets present a high contact angle on the surface, so that the droplets are not completely in contact with the solid surface, thereby not only reducing the contact area between the droplets and the interface, thereby reducing the friction, but also reducing the mass loss of the droplets.

[0045] Here, a series of wedge-shaped groove structures are embedded in the panel to form a droplet driving structure that can move droplets along the groove surface.

[0046] The droplet driving structure provided by the embodiment of the present invention has a series of wedge-shaped groove structures embedded in the panel, so as to better drive the droplets to perform long-distance continuous transportation.

[0047] Based on any of the above embodiments, the hydrophobicity of the panel is greater than that of the series wedge-shaped groove structure. That is, in order to make the droplet move in the groove track, the hydrophobicity of the contact interface between the series wedge-shaped groove structure and the droplet (inside the groove track) is less than that of the outer edge of the groove track.

[0048] In one embodiment, the panel is a super-hydrophobic panel, the serial wedge-shaped groove structure is a hydrophobic serial wedge-shaped groove structure, and the hydrophobicity of the super-hydrophobic panel is greater than that of the hydrophobic serial wedge-shaped groove structure.

[0049] The droplet driving structure provided by the embodiment of the present invention has a panel with a hydrophobicity greater than that of the serial wedge-shaped groove structure, thereby ensuring that the droplets can move on the groove track. Compared with the mass loss that easily occurs when the droplets diffuse on the hydrophilic channel, the present application can reduce the mass loss caused by the diffusion of the droplets and ensure the transmission rate.

[0050] Based on any of the above embodiments, the asymmetric wedge-shaped groove drives the droplet to move from the wide end of the wedge-shaped groove to the narrow end of the wedge-shaped groove. That is, when the droplet is placed on the end with a larger opening on the surface of the wedge-shaped groove, the asymmetric force of the groove on the droplet causes it to spontaneously move along the surface of the wedge-shaped groove toward the end with a smaller opening.

[0051] Based on any of the above embodiments, any wedge-shaped groove is constructed by a graphene sheet, so that the hydrophobicity of the contact interface between the wedge-shaped groove and the droplet is better, thereby improving the driving force of the droplet, improving the transmission rate of the droplet, and realizing the long-distance movement of the droplet; and improving the stability of the wedge-shaped groove, thereby improving the stability of the series wedge-shaped groove structure, and finally improving the mechanical stability of the droplet driving structure. Of course, it can also be constructed by materials that meet the wettability requirements according to actual needs.

[0052] Based on any of the above embodiments, the wedge angle of any wedge-shaped groove is 5°, so as to avoid the width of a single wedge-shaped groove being too large, thereby reducing the mass loss caused by droplet diffusion; and constructing each wedge-shaped groove based on a wedge angle of 5° can ensure that the droplets can be continuously transported over long distances.

[0053] Based on any of the above embodiments, the length of the wide end of any wedge-shaped groove is 10 nanometers, and the length of any wedge-shaped groove in the driving direction of the droplet is 15 nanometers, that is, the width of the wedge-shaped groove is 10 nanometers, and the length of the wedge-shaped groove is 15 nanometers, thereby ensuring that the width of a single wedge-shaped groove is small, thereby reducing the mass loss caused by droplet diffusion, thereby ensuring the transmission rate, and ultimately achieving long-distance continuous transportation; and constructing each wedge-shaped groove based on a size of 15 nm×10 nm can ensure that the droplets can achieve long-distance continuous transportation; and in the simulation process of the droplet drive structure, there is no need for a large size, thereby reducing the amount of calculation.

[0054] Based on any of the above embodiments, the height of any wedge-shaped groove is greater than 2 nanometers. Further, the height of any wedge-shaped groove is 2 nanometers (excluding 2 nanometers) to 5 nanometers, preferably 2.01 nanometers, that is, the depth of the wedge-shaped groove is 2.01 nanometers, and then each wedge-shaped groove constructed based on 2.01 nanometers can ensure that the droplets can be transported continuously over long distances; and in the simulation process of the droplet driving structure, there is no need for a large size, thereby reducing the amount of calculation.

[0055] Exemplarily, if the wedge-shaped groove is constructed by graphene sheets, the height of 6 stacked graphene sheets is 2.01 nanometers.

[0056] Based on the above embodiments, the above droplet driving structure is simulated. For example, Figure 2 As shown, the simulation system consists of a water droplet and a droplet-driven structure model, in which a series of wedge-shaped groove structures are embedded in a super-hydrophobic panel ( Figure 2 The gray part outside the middle wedge groove) Figure 2 The structure except the gray part in the figure is constructed with graphene sheets. The wedge angle of the wedge groove is 5°, the height of the wedge groove is 2.01 nm, which is equivalent to the height of 6 stacked graphene layers. The size of each wedge groove is 15 nm×10 nm. A water droplet containing 2972 ​​water molecules is initially placed on the wider side of the first wedge groove. The gray superhydrophobic part is to prevent the droplet from deviating from the track and only move along the groove track.

[0057] Specifically, molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the motion of droplets on the droplet-driven structure. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed in the NVT ensemble using gromacs version 2019.3, using an all-atom force field. In the simulations, the temperature was controlled by a V-rescale thermostat, which maintained the temperature at 298 K. Periodic boundary conditions were used in the X, Y, and Z directions. The SPC / E water model was used in the simulations. Figure 2As shown in Figure 2, two graphene models are constructed: a groove model with a uniform interface (a) and a groove model with a wettability gradient interface (b). The carbon atoms in graphene are uncharged LJ atoms. In the uniform groove model, the van der Waals interaction parameter ε C-C = 0.2325 kJ / mol. In the wettability gradient groove model, the parameters of the three groove units are set to 0.6 ε C-C , 0.8 ε C-C and ε C-C。 In order to allow the water droplet to move along the groove track, the outer edge of the track is relatively hydrophobic, that is, the van der Waals interaction parameter of the outer edge of the track is 0.1 kJ / mol. The LJ parameters between different atoms adopt the Lorentz-Berthelo mixing rule. The cutoff distance of the van der Waals interaction is 1.4 nm. The long-range electrostatic interaction is calculated by using the particle mesh Ewald method with a cutoff distance of 1.4 nm. The fast Fourier transform grid spacing is 0.16 nm.

[0058] Based on the above, all carbon atoms in graphene are fixed during the simulation. First, we minimize the energy of the water droplet. Then, all water molecules are fixed in the x direction and balanced in the NVT ensemble for 2ns. Finally, the simulation is performed in the NVT ensemble to study the motion of the water droplet on the graphene model. The time step is 2fs, and we collect data every 2ps for analysis, such as Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the contact interface between each wedge-shaped groove and the droplet in the groove model (a) Figure 2 The wettability of the groove model (b) is the same as that of the other two (the same color in the figure). The contact interface between each wedge-shaped groove and the droplet ( Figure 2 The wettability of the different colors in the Figure 2 The positions of water droplets at 4ps, 128ps, 199ps, 330ps, and 722ps are shown respectively. Based on this, the groove model (a) without the wettability gradient can only move toward the narrow end on the surface of the first groove, while the groove model (b) with the wettability gradient can move continuously.

[0059] Based on the above simulation results, it can be seen that the droplet can move continuously and directional on the hydrophobic groove interface in the Cassie wetting state. The analysis shows that the droplet will spontaneously move toward the tip (i.e., the narrow end) in each wedge-shaped groove, and at the junction of each wedge-shaped groove, the droplet continues to move forward due to the stronger attraction of the next groove. In addition, the free energy calculation results show that the wettability gradient interface significantly reduces the potential barrier between the groove units, so the water droplet can move continuously across the junction.

[0060] Therefore, the above droplet driving structure can reduce the droplet movement resistance and mass loss while enabling the droplets to move continuously.

[0061] The preparation method of the droplet driving structure provided by the present invention is described below. The preparation method of the droplet driving structure described below and the droplet driving structure described above can be referred to each other.

[0062] Based on any of the above embodiments, the present invention further provides a method for preparing a droplet driving structure. Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the process of preparing the droplet drive structure provided by the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, the preparation method includes: step 310.

[0063] Step 310 , connecting a plurality of wedge-shaped grooves in sequence in such a manner that the narrow end of one wedge-shaped groove is connected to the wide end of another wedge-shaped groove, to obtain a series-connected wedge-shaped groove structure.

[0064] The preparation method of the droplet driving structure provided by the embodiment of the present invention comprises a series wedge groove structure, and the series wedge groove structure comprises a plurality of wedge grooves connected in sequence, and in the driving direction of the droplet, the narrow end of one wedge groove is connected to the wide end of another wedge groove, and the contact interface between the series wedge groove structure and the droplet is a wettability gradient interface, that is, the wettability of the contact interface between each wedge groove and the droplet is different, that is, the wettability on the interface presents a step-like change, which can reduce the potential barrier at the connection of the wedge grooves, and also can provide a continuous driving force for the droplet, so as to promote the continuous transportation of the droplet better and better realize the continuous transportation of the droplet over a long distance; at the same time, in order to realize the long-distance movement of the droplet, it is not necessary for the length of a single wedge groove in the driving direction of the droplet to be too long, that is, it can be realized that the width of the series wedge groove structure is independent of the length, and the width of the series wedge groove structure will not be too large, so that the continuous transportation of the droplet over a long distance can be realized while reducing the mass loss caused by the diffusion of the droplet and ensuring the transmission rate.

[0065] Based on any of the above embodiments, after the above step 310, the preparation method further includes: embedding the series wedge-shaped groove structure on the panel.

[0066] The following is a description of a method for using the droplet driving structure provided by the present invention. The method for using the droplet driving structure described below and the droplet driving structure described above can be referenced to each other.

[0067] Based on any of the above embodiments, the present invention further provides a method for using the droplet driving structure. Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the method of using the droplet drive structure provided by the present invention. Figure 4As shown, the method of use includes: step 410.

[0068] In step 410, the droplet is initially placed at the wide end of the first wedge groove of the serial wedge groove structure, so that the droplet moves from the wide end of the first wedge groove to the narrow end of the first wedge groove, and then moves from the narrow end of the first wedge groove to the wide end of the second wedge groove of the serial wedge groove structure, until it moves to the narrow end of the last wedge groove of the serial wedge groove structure.

[0069] The method for using the droplet driving structure provided by the embodiment of the present invention uses the droplet driving structure in the above manner. Since the droplet driving structure includes a serial wedge groove structure, and the serial wedge groove structure includes a plurality of wedge grooves connected in sequence, and in the driving direction of the droplet, the narrow end of one wedge groove is connected to the wide end of another wedge groove, and the contact interface between the serial wedge groove structure and the droplet is a wettability gradient interface, that is, the wettability of the contact interface between each wedge groove and the droplet is different, that is, the wettability on the interface presents a step-like change, which can reduce the potential barrier at the connection of the wedge grooves and provide a continuous driving force for the droplet, so as to promote the droplet to be better continuously transported and better realize the long-distance continuous transport of the droplet; at the same time, in order to realize the long-distance movement of the droplet, it is not necessary for the length of a single wedge groove in the driving direction of the droplet to be too long, that is, it can be realized that the width of the serial wedge groove structure is independent of the length, and the width of the serial wedge groove structure will not be too large, so that the long-distance continuous transport of the droplet can be realized while reducing the mass loss caused by the diffusion of the droplet and ensuring the transmission rate.

[0070] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A droplet driving structure, characterized in that: include: Series wedge-shaped groove structure; The serially connected wedge-shaped groove structure comprises a plurality of wedge-shaped grooves connected in sequence; In the driving direction of the droplet, the narrow end of one of the wedge-shaped grooves is connected to the wide end of another of the wedge-shaped grooves; The contact interface between the serial wedge-shaped groove structure and the droplet is a wettability gradient interface, and the wettability of the contact interface between each wedge-shaped groove and the droplet is different, so as to drive the droplet to move from the narrow end of one wedge-shaped groove to the wide end of another wedge-shaped groove; the surface opening of the narrow end of the wedge-shaped groove is smaller than the surface opening of the wide end of the wedge-shaped groove.

2. The droplet driving structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: panel; The series wedge-shaped groove structure is embedded in the panel.

3. The droplet driving structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The hydrophobicity of the panel is greater than that of the series wedge-shaped groove structure.

4. The droplet driving structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The panel is a super-hydrophobic panel, and the serial wedge-shaped groove structure is a hydrophobic serial wedge-shaped groove structure.

5. The droplet driving structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wedge angle of any of the wedge-shaped grooves is 5°.

6. The droplet driving structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length of the wide end of any of the wedge-shaped grooves is 10 nanometers, and the length of any of the wedge-shaped grooves in the driving direction of the droplet is 15 nanometers.

7. The droplet driving structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The height of any of the wedge-shaped grooves is greater than 2 nanometers.

8. A method for preparing a droplet driving structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: include: In a manner that the narrow end of one wedge-shaped groove is connected to the wide end of another wedge-shaped groove, a plurality of wedge-shaped grooves are connected in sequence to obtain a series-connected wedge-shaped groove structure.

9. The method for preparing a droplet driving structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: After the plurality of wedge-shaped grooves are connected in sequence in a manner that the narrow end of one wedge-shaped groove is connected to the wide end of another wedge-shaped groove to obtain a series-connected wedge-shaped groove structure, the preparation method further comprises: The series wedge-shaped groove structure is embedded in the panel.

10. A method for using the droplet driving structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: include: The droplet is initially placed at the wide end of the first wedge groove of the serial wedge groove structure, so that the droplet moves from the wide end of the first wedge groove to the narrow end of the first wedge groove, and then moves from the narrow end of the first wedge groove to the wide end of the second wedge groove of the serial wedge groove structure, until it moves to the narrow end of the last wedge groove of the serial wedge groove structure.

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