Acoustic levitation of liquid drops: Dynamics, manipulation and phase transitions

Duyang Zang; Yinkai Yu; Zhen Chen; Xiaoguang Li; Hongjing Wu; Xingguo Geng

doi:10.1016/j.cis.2017.03.003

Acoustic levitation of liquid drops: Dynamics, manipulation and phase transitions

Adv Colloid Interface Sci. 2017 May:243:77-85. doi: 10.1016/j.cis.2017.03.003. Epub 2017 Mar 18.

Authors

Duyang Zang¹, Yinkai Yu², Zhen Chen², Xiaoguang Li², Hongjing Wu², Xingguo Geng²

Affiliations

¹ Functional Soft Matter & Materials Group, Key Laboratory of Space Applied Physics and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, School of Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710129, China. Electronic address: dyzang@nwpu.edu.cn.
² Functional Soft Matter & Materials Group, Key Laboratory of Space Applied Physics and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, School of Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710129, China.

PMID: 28343560
DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2017.03.003

Abstract

The technique of acoustic levitation normally produces a standing wave and the potential well of the sound field can be used to trap small objects. Since no solid surface is involved it has been widely applied for the study of fluid physics, nucleation, bio/chemical processes, and various forms of soft matter. In this article, we survey the works on drop dynamics in acoustic levitation, focus on how the dynamic behavior is related to the rheological properties and discuss the possibility to develop a novel rheometer based on this technique. We review the methods and applications of acoustic levitation for the manipulation of both liquid and solid samples and emphasize the important progress made in the study of phase transitions and bio-chemical analysis. We also highlight the possible open areas for future research.

Keywords: Acoustic levitation; Drop dynamics; Drying patterns; Interfacial rheology; Micro-reaction.

Publication types

Review