Connected three-dimensional polyhedral frames for programmable liquid processing

Abstract

Human civilization relies heavily on the ability to precisely process liquids. Switching between liquid capture and release plays a fundamental role in the handling of various liquids, with applications that demand reversible, spatially and temporally precise, volumetrically accurate and programmable control over the liquid, independent of the details of the employed solid tools and processed liquids. However, current fluidic techniques do not fully meet these requirements. Here we present connected polyhedral frames to effectively address this challenge by tailoring liquid continuity between frames to dictate the liquid capture or release of individual frames, with an overall network that is readily switchable locally, dynamically and reversibly. Each frame captures or releases liquids, independent of its base materials, structures and processed liquids. The connected polyhedral frames are a versatile tool that enables many important functions including three-dimensional (3D) programmable patterning of liquids, 3D spatiotemporal control of concentrations of multiple materials, packaging of 3D liquid arrays and large-scale manipulation of multiple liquids, thus considerably advancing many fields, including interface science and soft materials. Switching between liquid capture and release is important in handling various liquids. Here the authors present connected polyhedral frames that form a network of units that capture or release liquid that is readily switchable locally, dynamically and reversibly, thus functioning as a versatile fluidic processor.