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Abstract Asymmetric mechanical transducers have important applications in energy harvesting, signal transmission, and micro-mechanics. To achieve asymmetric transformation of mechanical motion or energy, active robotic metamaterials, as well as materials with asymmetric microstructures or internal orientation, are usually employed. However, these strategies usually require continuous energy supplement and laborious fabrication, and limited transformation modes are achieved. Herein, utilizing wettability patterned surfaces for precise control of the droplet contact line and inner flow, we demonstrate a droplet-based mechanical transducer system, and achieve multimodal responses to specific vibrations. By virtue of the synergistic effect of surface tension and solid-liquid adhesion on the liquid dynamics, the droplet on the patterned substrate can exhibit symmetric/asymmetric vibration transformation when the substrate vibrates horizontally. Based on this, we construct arrayed patterns with distinct arrangements on the substrate, and employ the swarm effect of the arrayed droplets to achieve three-dimensional and multimodal actuation of the target plate under a fixed input vibration. Further, we demonstrate the utilization of the mechanical transducers for vibration management, object transport, and laser modulation. These findings provide a simple yet efficient strategy to realize a multimodal mechanical transducer, which shows significant potential for aseismic design, optical molding, as well as micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS).

Abstract For a drop on a very hot solid surface, a vapor film will form beneath the drop, which has been discovered by Leidenfrost in 1756. The vapor escaping from the Leidenfrost film causes uncontrollable flows, and actuates the drop to move around. Recently, although numerous strategies have been used to regulate the Leidenfrost vapor, the understanding of surface chemistry for modulating the phase-change vapor dynamics remains incomplete. Here, we report how to rectify vapor by “cutting” the Leidenfrost film using chemically heterogeneous surfaces. We demonstrate that the segmented film cut by a Z-shaped pattern can spin a drop, since the superhydrophilic region directly contacts the drop and vaporizes the water, while a vapor film is formed on the superhydrophobic surrounding to jet vapor and reduce heat transfer. Furthermore, we reveal the general principle between the pattern symmetry design and the drop dynamics. This finding provides new insights into the Leidenfrost dynamics modulation, and opens a promising avenue for vapor-driven miniature devices.

In order to study shaft wall damage resulting from ore drawing in ore passes, a theoretical model for predicting the shaft wall damage to high-depth inclined ore passes is constructed based on field surveys of 25 ore passes in a deep mine in Yunnan, China. The mathematical expression of the total shaft wall damage volume is derived using the contact mechanics theory. Considering the structural characteristics of ore passes, and taking No. 1, 2, 3, and 9 ore passes as examples, combined with numerical simulation and an engineering case, the rationality of the proposed theoretical model is verified with respect to the initial collision position and the damage conditions of the shaft wall. The influence of, and sensitivity to, the ore block size P and the structural parameters of high-depth inclined ore passes on the total shaft wall damage volume Qtol are quantitatively analyzed. The results show that the calculation results of the theoretical model and numerical simulation are in good agreement with the actual engineering situations. Moreover, the ore-pass dip angle θ and the inclined angle of the chute α have a significant impact on the damage to the shaft wall, while the effects of the ore-pass depth H and the shaft diameter D are comparatively minor. With an increase in θ or α, Qtol generally first increases and then decreases. Qtol increases exponentially with P and increases steadily with D. H affects Qtol by influencing the collision frequency between the ore and the shaft wall. Therefore, in the mining design of deep mines, θ and α should be minimized as much as possible or adjusted to approach 90°, thereby reducing damage to the shaft wall. Secondly, ore block size should be strictly controlled to prevent collapses in the shaft wall caused by large ore blocks. This work provides technical support for the long-term safe operation of high-depth inclined ore passes.

Abstract Droplet impact on solid surfaces is essential both in nature and industry. Precisely regulating the dynamic behavior of droplet impact is of great significance for energy harvesting, anti‐icing, inkjet printing, pesticide spraying, and many other fields. Various rebounding behaviors (deposition, rebounding, rotation, instability control, and so on) and rebounding intrinsic parameters (such as contact time) after droplets impacting on solid surfaces can be regulated by surface engineering. This paper reviews the advances in regulating droplet impact behavior from the perspective of symmetry by modifying solid surfaces from the following aspects: chemical modification and physical structure regulation, in which the symmetry is discussed from mirror symmetry and rotational symmetry. Firstly, the symmetry of the droplet impact dynamics and its influencing factors are introduced. Then the modulation of droplet impact symmetry, using homogeneous and heterogeneous chemically modified solid surfaces, is summarized. The following presents the influence of physical structures, from micro to macro scale compared to the droplet size, on the droplet impact symmetry. Finally, the future challenges and opportunities of the droplet impact behavior regulation are discussed.