Bioinspired Superwetting Open Microfluidics: From Concepts, Phenomena to Applications

• Published in: Advanced functional materials Vol. 33; no. 32
• Main Authors: Si, Yifan, Li, Chuxin, Hu, Jinlian, Zhang, Chengqi, Dong, Zhichao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.08.2023
• Subjects: bioinspired; Biomimetics; Bionics; Interdisciplinary subjects; liquid manipulation; Materials science; Microfluidics; open microfluidics; superhydrophilic; superhydrophobic; Three dimensional printing
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202301017

Microfluidics and bioinspired superwetting materials, as two crucial branches of scientific research, are entering their golden age of development. As an emerging interdisciplinary subject of these two fields, bioinspired superwetting open microfluidics is triggering technological revolutions in many disciplines, including rapid medical diagnosis, biochemical analysis, liquid manipulation, 3D printing, etc. However, this new research area has yet to attract extensive attention. So, a timely review is necessary to organize the development process, summarize current achievements, and discuss the challenges or chances for the ongoing scientific trend. In this review, the evolution from closed to open microfluidics is combed first. Then, three typical bioinspired superwetting systems are introduced emphatically. Based on this, the bioinspired superwetting open microfluidics is divided into different categories according to the bionic objects as the focus of this study. Taking natural phenomena as the entry point, the research from the underlying mechanism to the application is systematically discussed and summarized. Several emerging applications are also mentioned. Finally, some views on major problems, existing challenges, and developing trends are briefly put forward in this field to guide future research. The processes of development from microfluidics to open microfluidics are combed briefly. The roles of various superwetting systems in open microfluidic technology are introduced and, according to different bionic objects, many typical bioinspired superwetting open microfluidics are summarized. Emerging applications and the development tendency in this field are also highlighted to lead future research.