Lattice Boltzmann modeling of droplet actuation via temperature gradient and electrowetting
Abstract
Droplet manipulation under various physical fields is crucial for microfluidics. Theoretical models are key to understand the physics. In this work, by extending the binary phase lattice Boltzmann model to fully coupled thermodynamics and electrostatics, we systematically explore the behaviors of droplet transport driven by temperature-dependent surface tension, thermocapillary, and electrowetting effects. It is shown that electrowetting enables bidirectional transport of the droplet, determined by various physical parameters such as electric voltage, wettability, viscosity, thermal conductivity, and surface tension. Specifically, the physics revealed in this work is more than simply electrowetting modified wettability. Actually, the droplet transport is controlled further by contact angle hysteresis and thermocapillary-induced temperature gradient.
Article Details
Journal Info
Journal of Applied Physics
American Institute of Physics
Authors (8)
Haorong Zhu
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology, Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University 1 , Guangzhou 510006,
Jingheng Zhang
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University 1 , Guangzhou 510006,
Yankun Cheng
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University 1 , Guangzhou 510006,
Qinglian Li
Xianwen Xu
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University 1 , Guangzhou 510006,
Biao Tang
Feilong Liu
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology, Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University 1 , Guangzhou 510006,
Guofu Zhou
National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology, Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China