Lotus leaf inspires new diagnostic technology
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Drops of red and blue liquid move along the upper and lower surface of the vibrating platform at speeds up to one inch per second, and merge as they meet in the middle
A drop of liquid sits on the textured silicon surface that has arced rungs to guide the drop, and a grid of pillars to keep the drop in the channel
A close-up of the UW surface showing the arc edges and adjacent pillars
Article Summary
Lately we’re hearing more and more about tiny medical and environmental diagnostic devices, that can perform a variety of tests using very small fluid samples. Working with such small samples does present a challenge, however – how do you thoroughly mix tiny amounts of different fluids, or wrangle individual drops for analysis? According to a team of scientists from the University of Washington, the answer lies in the lotus leaf.
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