Exploration of potential applications of nano-droplets according to their basic properties

Abstract

The rapid development of nano-droplets has attracted widespread attention. With a long period of development, wetting behaviors, surface evaporation, chemical analysis, and morphology control of nano-droplets are explored in the laboratory. The nano-droplets can be potentially useful in many interdisciplinary areas. Several potential applications in three areas will be reviewed, including the industry, the laboratory, and the medical treatment. Industrial applications involve cutting fluid in ultra-precision machining, surface agglomeration during 3D nano-inkjet printing process, in-plane silicon nanowire thin film transistors (TFTs), and anisotropic conductive adhesives for integrated electronics; laboratory applications involve nanoextraction and ultrafast microanalysis, “bottom-up” material preparation techniques, nanoscale liquid transport, and generation of nano-droplets in liquid media; applications in medical treatment involve intradermal vaccine delivery, proteomic analysis, and histotripsy. These applications have been demonstrated in industrial devices, chemical analysis, and a wide range of nanostructures with wetting properties. However, many other potential applications still remain to be explored. The need of exploring potential applications of novel and complex nano-droplets is still critical. In addition, trying to understand the size, such as the smallest size, of various kinds of nano-droplets is expected to enrich applications with nanotechnology.