Lattice Boltzmann modeling of droplet actuation via temperature gradient and electrowetting

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 dr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physics 2025-01, Vol.137 (2)
Main Authors: Zhu, Haorong, Zhang, Jingheng, Cheng, Yankun, Li, Qinglian, Xu, Xianwen, Tang, Biao, Liu, Feilong, Zhou, Guofu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actuation
Contact angle
Droplets
Electric contacts
Electrostatics
Microfluidics
Parameter modification
Physical properties
Surface tension
Temperature dependence
Thermal conductivity
Wettability
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/5.0231616