Liquid-Impregnated Micro-Nano Conduit Surface for Drag Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Conduits and surfaces face challenges in achieving low resistance to flow and material passage due to high viscous drag and adhesion issues, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of liquid-impregnated surfaces with micro-scale and nano-scale solid features that stably contain an impregnating liquid, providing a high-slip boundary condition and reducing adhesion, thereby facilitating the flow and passage of fluids and solids through conduits and surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional smooth surfaces are used in conduits, then manufacturing is simple, but viscous drag and adhesion prevent efficient material flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial flow rateVSAvoidsurface structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit surface is segmented into micro-scale and nano-scale features (protrusions, pores, or grooves) that create discrete liquid-containing pockets. This segmentation transforms the continuous surface into a structured array of functional units, each contributing to the overall slip effect and reduced drag.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The surface combines solid structural features (micro/nano protrusions, pores, or grooves) with a liquid phase (impregnating liquid) to create a composite interface. This liquid-solid composite structure provides both mechanical stability and low-friction flow characteristics, achieving high slip conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If micro/nano surface textures are used to reduce adhesion, then material passage improves, but liquid stability on the surface becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial passageVSAvoidliquid impregnation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the surface features serve different functions: the solid micro/nano structures provide geometric confinement and structural stability, while the liquid impregnating these features provides low-friction contact. This local differentiation of qualities (solid structure vs. liquid lubrication) enables both stability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The impregnating liquid acts as an intermediary between the solid surface features and the material being conveyed. This intermediate liquid layer mediates the interaction, providing stable adhesion to the surface structure while simultaneously reducing friction and adhesion to the conveyed material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If liquid-impregnated surfaces with micro/nano features are implemented, then viscous drag is reduced and flow is enhanced, but the surface structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rateVSAvoidconduit surface structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit surface is segmented into micro-scale and nano-scale features (protrusions, pores, or grooves) that create discrete liquid-containing pockets. This segmentation transforms the continuous surface into a structured array of functional units, each contributing to the overall slip effect and reduced drag.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The surface combines solid structural features (micro/nano protrusions, pores, or grooves) with a liquid phase (impregnating liquid) to create a composite interface. This liquid-solid composite structure provides both mechanical stability and low-friction flow characteristics, achieving high slip conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution significantly reduces viscous drag and adhesion, enhancing the flow of materials through conduits and surfaces, as demonstrated by experiments showing improved flow rates and reduced material sticking, with applications in various industrial and manufacturing processes.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of micro-scale and/or nano-scale solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

The interior surface may be configured to provide a high-slip boundary condition at the interior surface, thereby facilitating the flow, passage, or removal of fluids and/or solids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS9625075B2Apparatus with a liquid-impregnated surface to facilitate material conveyance

Publication Date: 2017.04.18 MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH

AI summary

Described herein are conduits for conveying fluids and/or solids, the conduits having an interior surface that provide a high-slip boundary condition, thereby facilitating the flow of material therethrough. In some embodiments, the conduit has an interior surface with an impregnating liquid and a plurality of micro-scale and/or nano-scale solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween. The impregnating liquid fills spaces between the solid features, the interior surface stably contains the impregnating liquid between the solid features, and the impregnating liquid is substantially held in place between the plurality of solid features regardless of orientation of the interior surface and regardless of flow, passage, or removal of fluids and/or solids through, into, or out of the conduit.