Description

A water drop on a superhydrophobic surface that is pinned by wire loops can be reproducibly cut without formation of satellite droplets. Drops placed on low-density polyethylene surfaces and Teflon-coated glass slides were cut with superhydrophobic knives of low-density polyethylene

A water drop on a superhydrophobic surface that is pinned by wire loops can be reproducibly cut without formation of satellite droplets. Drops placed on low-density polyethylene surfaces and Teflon-coated glass slides were cut with superhydrophobic knives of low-density polyethylene and treated copper or zinc sheets, respectively. Distortion of drop shape by the superhydrophobic knife enables a clean break. The driving force for droplet formation arises from the lower surface free energy for two separate drops, and it is modeled as a 2-D system. An estimate of the free energy change serves to guide when droplets will form based on the variation of drop volume, loop spacing and knife depth. Combining the cutting process with an electrofocusing driving force could enable a reproducible biomolecular separation without troubling satellite drop formation.

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    Title
    • Cutting a Drop of Water Pinned by Wire Loops Using a Superhydrophobic Surface and Knife
    Contributors
    Date Created
    2012-09-24
    Resource Type
  • Text
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    Identifier
    • Digital object identifier: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045893
    • Identifier Type
      International standard serial number
      Identifier Value
      1045-3830
    • Identifier Type
      International standard serial number
      Identifier Value
      1939-1560
    Note
    • The article is published at http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0045893

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    This is a suggested citation. Consult the appropriate style guide for specific citation guidelines.

    Yanashima, R., García, A. A., Aldridge, J., Weiss, N., Hayes, M. A., & Andrews, J. H. (2012). Cutting a Drop of Water Pinned by Wire Loops Using a Superhydrophobic Surface and Knife. PLoS ONE, 7(9). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045893

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