The abnormal bending of a micro-cantilever plate induced by a droplet is of great interest and of significance in micro/nano-manipulations.In this study,the physical mechanism of this abnormal phenomenon induced by an actual droplet is elucidated.Firstly,the morphologies of 2D and 3D droplets are solved analytically or numerically.Then the Laplace pressure difference acting on the cantilever plate caused by the droplet is presented.Finally,the deflections of the micro-cantilever plates driven by the capillary forces are quantitatively analyzed.These analytical results may be beneficial to some engineering applications,such as micro-sensors,MEMS and the micro/nano-measurement.
Jianlin Liu Xueyan Zhu Xinkang Li Zhiwei Li 1(Department of Engineering Mechanics,China University of Petroleum,Qingdao 266555,China)
Elastocapillary phenomena involving elastic deformation of solid structures coupled with capillary effects of liquid droplets/films can be observed in a diversity of fields,e.g.,biology and microelectromechanical systems(MEMS).Understanding the physical mechanisms underlying these phenomena is of great interest for the design of new materials and devices by utilizing the effects of surface tension at micro and nano scales.In this paper,some recent developments in the investigations on elastocapillary phenomena are briefly reviewed.Especially,we consider the deformation,adhesion,self-assembly,buckling and wrinkling of materials and devices induced by surface tensions or capillary forces.The main attention is paid to the experimental results of these phenomena and the theoretical analysis methods based on continuum mechanics.Additionally,the applications of these studies in the fields of MEMS,micro/nanometrology,and biomimetic design of advanced materials and devices are discussed.
