Wettability-patterning method and designs for pumpless transport and precise manipulation of liquid volumes on and through porous materials
US11648553B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 2017 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 9, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01L2400/0406
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A material for manipulating liquid includes a porous substrate having first and second surfaces; and a wedge-shaped transport element disposed on one of the first and second surfaces, wherein the wedge-shaped transport element has a narrow end and a wide end, the wide end connected to a first reservoir, wherein the wedge-shaped transport element is configured to pass liquid from the narrow end to the wide end to the first reservoir, regardless of gravity, and wherein the first reservoir is configured to pass liquid away from the substrate in a z-direction opposite from the surface on which a liquid is deposited. The surface on which the wedge-shaped transport element is disposed is one of hydrophobic or superhydrophobic, and the wedge-shaped transport element is one of a) superhydrophilic when the first surface is hydrophobic, b) superhydrophilic when the first surface is superhydrophobic, and c) hydrophilic when the first surface is superhydrophobic.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.