Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

Title

Electrowetting of Room Temperature Ionic Liquids (RTILs) for Capillary Force Manipulation

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 11-13-2009

Abstract

The feasibility of using room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) as the electrowetting liquid for capillary force microgrippers was studied. The non-volatility and thermal stability of ionic liquids make them suitable for droplet based microgripping application in high temperature and vacuum environments. Electrowetting on co-planar electrodes was utilized to dynamically change the contact angle of a 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BmimPF6 ) liquid bridge to control the capillary lifting forces. The lifting force generated by the liquid bridge was experimentally characterized. The maximum capillary force was 146μN. The dynamic response of the BmimPF6 liquid bridge was also characterized.

Publication Title

ASME Proceedings

Volume

Volume 12: Micro and Nano Systems, Parts A and B

Issue

Paper No. IMECE2009-10699

First Page

419

Last Page

423

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