In a groundbreaking development that could revolutionize liquid manipulation technologies, researchers have introduced a novel method for digitally fabricating slippery architectural materials. This innovation, published in the journal *Nature Communications* (which translates to “Nature Communications”), opens new avenues for scalable microprinting of complex, topologically slippery designs, with significant implications for the energy sector and beyond.
The primary challenge in creating controllable liquid-based materials lies in managing the structural complexities and multiscale interfaces that govern solid, liquid, and gas phase interactions. Current fabrication methods for liquid-infused surfaces lack topological flexibility, limiting them to planar and simple-patterned structures. However, the new method, developed by Woo Young Kim and his team at the Global Institute for Advanced Nanoscience & Technology at Changwon National University, marks a significant shift towards scalable microprinting of complex, topologically slippery designs.
Kim and his colleagues have demonstrated the potential of their method through digital printing of photopolymerization-induced multiphase materials and photoinduced grafting. This process enables precise control over structural topologies and slippery properties of infused liquids. “Our method allows us to fabricate structures at multiple scales, enhancing liquid manipulation, droplet evaporation, and biomedical microfluidic chip design,” Kim explained. This versatility is a game-changer, as it facilitates the creation of architected slippery surfaces with controlled structural scales, advancing beyond conventional techniques.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. Efficient liquid manipulation is crucial for various energy applications, from oil and gas extraction to renewable energy technologies. The ability to control liquid behavior at the microscale can lead to more efficient heat transfer systems, improved fluid dynamics in pipelines, and enhanced performance in energy storage devices. “This technology has the potential to optimize energy processes, making them more efficient and cost-effective,” Kim added.
Moreover, the method’s scalability and design freedom open doors to innovative applications in other industries. For instance, in the biomedical field, precise liquid manipulation can improve diagnostic tools and drug delivery systems. In environmental engineering, it can enhance water treatment and purification processes.
The research showcases the potential of architected slippery surfaces with controlled structural scales, paving the way for future developments in liquid manipulation technologies. As Woo Young Kim and his team continue to refine their method, the energy sector and other industries can look forward to a future where liquid behavior is precisely controlled, leading to more efficient and sustainable technologies.