The porous nano-fibers raft: analysis of load-carrying mechanism and capacity

A simple model of a raft made of spaced nano-cylinders is formulated and discussed, in order to improve the understanding of load-carrying capacity of insects and miniature devices that float on liquids. It is shown that mostly the outer cylinders of the raft determine the load-carrying capacity. Th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Soft matter 2011-01, Vol.7 (16), p.7382-7385
Main Authors: Marmur, Abraham, Ras, Robin H. A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Contact angle
Cylinders
Liquids
Miniature
Nanocomposites
Nanomaterials
Nanostructure
Rafts
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Summary:A simple model of a raft made of spaced nano-cylinders is formulated and discussed, in order to improve the understanding of load-carrying capacity of insects and miniature devices that float on liquids. It is shown that mostly the outer cylinders of the raft determine the load-carrying capacity. Therefore, the raft porosity (spacing of the cylinders) is instrumental mainly in increasing the load-carrying capacity per unit weight of the raft. In addition, it is shown that the actual contact angle that the liquid makes with the surface of a cylinder does not necessarily have to be higher than 90[degree] in order to support a load; therefore, the raft may support a load both on water and on oil. Nonetheless, the load-carrying capacity and the floating stability increase when the contact angle increases.
ISSN:1744-683X
1744-6848
DOI:10.1039/c1sm05156c