Elastocapillary filling of deformable nanochannels

摘要: The capillary filling speed of wetting liquids varying viscosity and surface tension in hydrophilic nanochannels with an elastic capping layer has been analyzed. channels, a height just below 80 nm, are suspended by thin flexible membrane that easily deforms due to the negative pressure which develops behind moving meniscus. In elastocapillary two opposite effects compete: decreased cross channel sections increase flow resistance, while Laplace acts as driving force becomes more increased meniscus curvature. Although position shows square root time behavior described Washburn relation, net result induced bending membranes is definite speed. We propose relatively straightforward model for this process present experimental results ethanol, water, cyclohexane acetone found be good agreement presented model, deflections up percent original height.