The Propulsion of a Miniature Device by Organic Fluid Jetflow through Polymer Submicron Tubes

A miniature device composed of anodic aluminum oxide membrane and aligned polypropylene submicron tubes is fabricated by a simple template method. When organic fluids are dripped on the membrane, the device floating on water could be propelled by organic fluid jetflow through the polymer tubes. The driving force is mainly attributed to the spreading of organic fluids on water surface. Compared to the motions driven by spreading fluids in bulk, the propulsion of this device is more efficient benefiting from the submicron-tube microstructure. This work may provide a feasible approach to enhance the efficiency of chemical driving movements.