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Microtube with built-in pump

Scientists at Tsinghua University and Beihang University developed a 'microtube pump' that can transport tiny amounts of fluid using sunlight-powered capillary forces. The pump consists of two layers with asymmetric properties that work together to accelerate water droplets to exceptional speeds.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 17, 2018

Scientists found means to inhibit capillary leakage in sepsis

Researchers at the University of Helsinki have identified a monoclonal antibody that inhibits capillary leakage in sepsis. The antibody targets β1-integrin, a key molecule in endothelial cells, and improves junctions between endothelial cells, decreasing vascular leakage and protecting against sepsis-induced heart failure.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2018

The complex journey of red bloods cells through microvascular networks

A team of researchers used a state-of-the-art simulation code to study the behavior of red blood cells flowing through physiologically realistic microvascular networks. They observed that red blood cells frequently jam for brief periods before proceeding downstream, causing temporary increases in vascular resistance. The findings have ...

Scientists find new evidence about how to prevent worsening pneumonia

Researchers found that a synthetic peptide called TIP strengthens the barrier function of lung capillaries, preventing fluid accumulation and potential deadly complications. The study suggests a promising strategy for reducing dangerous fluid volume in lungs, particularly for vulnerable populations like children under five.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateSep 5, 2017

Simulating splash at the microscopic level

Researchers used a lattice-Botzmann method to simulate the impact of microdroplets on dry surfaces, revealing distinct physics at the microscopic level. They found that droplet sizes in spray cooling are three orders of magnitude smaller than previously studied millimeter-size droplets, and that this affects their dynamics.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateJul 11, 2017

Foam stops sloshing liquid

Researchers found that capillary forces from soap foam induce pressure gradients near the container walls, reducing sloshing motion. The dampening effect happens faster than expected exponential decay, causing the waves to stop after a finite time.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateSep 13, 2016

New fabrication and thermo-optical tuning of whispering gallery microlasers

Scientists at OIST have developed a new method to fabricate glass microlasers, called whispering gallery microlasers, which are tiny optical devices that create intense light with one color or wavelength. The new technique allows for quick and easy fabrication of smaller devices for biosensing and optical communications.

How to make porous materials dry faster

Researchers found that subtle changes in the air-water interface shape near the surface of capillaries significantly impact drying rates. By controlling microstructure, drying time can be improved. The study's findings could lead to more efficient porous materials for various industries.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateMar 9, 2016

May the capillary force be with you

Researchers at Washington State University are developing a computer model and designs for improved liquid transport systems using capillary forces to move liquids through narrow spaces in space. By studying the effects of viscosity in microgravity, they aim to conserve energy and enable longer space missions.

Signpost for sentinel cells

Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered how dendritic cells advance from capillary vessels towards the lymph node. They found that the cells orient themselves with the help of a molecular mediator named CCL21, which creates a directional gradient.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 15, 2016

A window into sexuality

A study by Meredith Chivers found that heterosexual women exhibit diverse patterns of sexual response to both male and female stimuli, challenging previous assumptions about heterosexuality. The research suggests a more nuanced understanding of the relationships between sexual identity, attractions and genital responses.

SourceQueen's University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 2, 2015

Residual hydraulic fracturing water not a risk to groundwater

New research by Penn State scientists suggests that hydraulic fracturing water is not a significant risk to groundwater, as it is sequestered in the rock formation. The study found that capillary and osmotic forces prevent upward migration of residual treatment water into overlying groundwater.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Unconventional Oil and Gas Resources·DateSep 10, 2014

Graphene's love affair with water

Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered that graphene can be used to create ultrafast filters for liquid water, with an astonishingly accurate mesh that allows precise separation of atomic species. The filters also exhibit 'ion sponging' properties, sucking up small ions and concentrating them internally.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalScience·DateFeb 13, 2014

Capillaries will measure diffusion and help in more efficient medical treatment

A new method developed by the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences measures diffusion coefficients and equilibrium constants to assist in determining optimal drug doses. The method uses a simple capillary apparatus with high-speed water flow, allowing for fast and accurate measurements with increased accura...

Researchers measure flow from a nanoscale fluid jet

Researchers have verified the classical Landau-Squire theory in a nanoscale fluid jet, measuring flow rates of tens of pico liters per second. The findings suggest that the Navier-Stokes equations hold true at molecular scales, with potential applications in ultra-low-volume injectors and microfluidic logic circuits.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 28, 2013

Wang's technology may answer host of medical questions

Researchers have developed a new technology called photoacoustic flowoxigraphy that allows for the measurement of oxygen in individual red blood cells in real-time. This breakthrough could lead to a better understanding of oxygen delivery to normal and diseased tissues, as well as how different disease therapies impact oxygen levels.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 25, 2013

That's the way the droplets adhere

MIT researchers have developed a new method to study droplet adhesion using a modified scanning electron microscope. They found that the angle of a droplet's leading and trailing edges relative to a surface plays a crucial role in determining whether it sticks, and that surface texture on rough surfaces can either improve or worsen adh...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 19, 2013