Electropneumatic Surfaces: Pairing Electrowetting and Air Pressure for Reversible Droplet Mobility Switching

Abstract Designing surfaces with controllable wettability and exploring methodologies for manipulating liquid motion on solid is an important research challenge. The impact various interdisciplinary applications, ranging from self‐cleaning technology to the handling of droplets Lab‐on‐a‐Chip self‐diagnostic devices, expected be significant. In this work, it studied how combined action electric fields pneumatic actuation can used achieve wetting transitions states where stick surfaces, slide easily low friction. manipulation water air‐permeable porous using both (electrowetting) air‐pressure investigated. control over droplet mobility achieved by tuning solid‐liquid adhesion upon voltage application, in order pin droplet; de‐pinning air pressure application through surface pores. This way energy consumption efficient switching between extreme are realized.