3 research outputs found
Video of transmission experiment
Visualization of enhanced total internal reflection using nanolattice materials
Wicking Enhancement in Three-Dimensional Hierarchical Nanostructures
Wicking, the absorption of liquid
into narrow spaces without the
assistance of external forces, has drawn much attention due to its
potential applications in many engineering fields. Increasing surface
roughness using micro/nanostructures can improve capillary action
to enhance wicking. However, reducing the structure length scale can
also result in significant viscous forces to impede wicking. In this
work, we demonstrate enhanced wicking dynamics by using nanostructures
with three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical features to increase the
surface area while mitigating the obstruction of liquid flow. The
proposed structures were engineered using a combination of interference
lithography and hydrothermal synthesis of ZnO nanowires, where structures
at two length scales were independently designed to control wicking
behavior. The fabricated hierarchical 3D structures were tested for
water and ethanol wicking properties, demonstrating improved wicking
dynamics with intermediate nanowire lengths. The experimental data
agree with the derived fluid model based on the balance of capillary
and vicious forces. The hierarchical wicking structures can be potentially
used in applications in water harvesting surfaces, microfluidics,
and integrated heat exchangers