Cavitation‐driven Deformable Microchambers Inspired by Fast Microscale Movements of Ferns

Annulus cells of fern sporangia spontaneously deform driven by water transpiration and cavitation, resulting in the peculiar macroscale catapult-like movement sporangium. cells' behavior, if artificially replicated, can inspire a novel class fast actuators composed annulus-mimicking units. However, cavitation-driven dynamics observed annulus is never reproduced. Here, prismatic microcavities are assembled with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfilm to realize artificial microchambers that mimic cells, replicating for first time their evaporation-driven collapse return triggered nucleation bubbles. The microchambers, turn, be fabricated adjacency, bending arrays transpiration. Working an system allows this study investigate fluidic phenomena arising from interplay soft, semi-permeable membrane micro-confined liquid bounded rigid walls. First, aspect ratio influences bubble shape (either spherical or non-spherical). Second, growth rate expansion dynamics. This study's results demonstrate replication offering plant-like solution fast, microscale movements, tool complex mechanisms involving cavitation.