# Reconfigurable Slippery Gradient Structure for ProgrammableDroplet Self-Propulsion

https://mdr.nims.go.jp/datasets/b4581528-ddb6-4869-9c76-519b35a1ed0d

## File

- [acs.langmuir.6c02822.pdf](https://mdr.nims.go.jp/filesets/b2ab4923-e7e9-4580-a508-fce7da78afd2/download) ([Detail](https://mdr.nims.go.jp/filesets/b2ab4923-e7e9-4580-a508-fce7da78afd2.md))

## Id

b4581528-ddb6-4869-9c76-519b35a1ed0d

## Local identifier



## Visibility

open_to_public

## State

published

## Created at

2026-08-26T01:04:14.817107Z

## Updated at

2026-08-26T01:48:51.048344Z

## Published at

2026-08-26T03:29:16.555444Z

## Doi



## First published url

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.6c02822

## Date published

2026-08-08

## Recorded date published



## Resource type

journal_article

## Manuscript type

vor

## Collection



## Title

- title: |-
    Reconfigurable Slippery Gradient Structure for Programmable
    Droplet Self-Propulsion
  title_type: original
  lang: en

## Description

- description: Transporting millimetric droplets on a surface is fundamental for droplet
    fluidics, which requires minimizing droplet sticking and energy input. One promising
    strategy is tethering the self-propelling ability to droplets on non-sticking
    surfaces. Self-propulsion is achieved by forming a gradient structure on the substrate.
    Typically, the gradient is highly directional and non-reprogrammable, making the
    regulation of transport challenging. Here, we report droplets self-propel from
    the edge to the center of the substrate. The substrate surface is covered with
    a stabilized lubricant that exhibits droplet slipperiness. Near the substrate
    edge, a lubricant thickness gradient forms, which self-propels the droplet. This
    property enabled the regulated self-propelling of droplets by spatio-temporal
    edge-shape design. The edge shape determines the direction of the droplet's self-propulsion.
    Moreover, the in-situ edge appearance/disappearance, achieved by separating/connecting
    two neighboring coated substrates, enabled the regulation of self-propelling timing
    because the lubricant gradient structure is reconfigurable. We demonstrate droplets'
    self-climbing, upside-down self-propelling, in situ stop-and-go motion, two-droplet
    attractive motion, and reconfigurable two-dimensional droplet motion. We also
    demonstrate that the sliding droplet on the zig-zag-shaped substrate moves along
    with the substrate's shape due to the edge self-propelling. These droplet manipulations
    require no special devices, making them increasingly accessible.
  description_type: abstract
  lang: und

## Creator

- name: Ryo Sakai
  role: author
- name: Shunto Arai
  role: author
  orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0055-3006
- name: Takashi Hiroi
  role: author
- name: Ryota Tamate
  role: author
  orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1704-1058
- name: Timothée Mouterde
  role: author
  orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1166-1723
- name: Mizuki Tenjimbayashi
  role: author
  orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8107-8285

## Contact agent



## Publisher

organization: American Chemical Society (ACS)

## Managing organization



## Keyword

- subject: liquid slippery surface
  schema: not_defined
- subject: droplet self-propelling
  schema: not_defined
- subject: capillary force
  schema: not_defined
- subject: droplet  transportation
  schema: not_defined
- subject: wetting
  schema: not_defined

## Rights

- identifier: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

## Other identifier(s)



## Data origin



## Embargo



## Journal

- title: Langmuir
  issn: '07437463'

## Conference



## Related item



## Funding

- funder_name: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- identifier: 21H01643
  funder_name: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- identifier: 23K18567
  funder_name: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- identifier: 24K01341
  funder_name: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- identifier: JPMJFR223V
  funder_name: Fusion Oriented REsearch for disruptive Science and Technology
- funder_name: National Institute for Materials Science
- identifier: TK23-012
  funder_name: TIA KAKEHASHI

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## Fileset

- id: b2ab4923-e7e9-4580-a508-fce7da78afd2
  filename: acs.langmuir.6c02822.pdf
  content_type: application/pdf
  size: 6030964
  md5: a28278188e80f05913ac50ff854711b6

## Thumbnail

fileset_id: b2ab4923-e7e9-4580-a508-fce7da78afd2
filename: acs.langmuir.6c02822.pdf