Sequential self-propelled morphology transitions of nanoscale condensates enable a cascade jumping-droplet condensation

The jumping-droplet condensation, namely the out-of-plane jumping of condensed droplets upon coalescence, has been a promising technical innovation in fields energy harvesting, droplet manipulation, thermal management, etc., yet is limited owing to challenge enabling sustainable and programmable control. Here, we characterized morphological evolutions dynamic behaviors nanoscale condensates on different nanopillar surfaces, found that there exists an unrevealed domino effect throughout entire lifecycle coalescence not only mechanism access jumping. vapor nucleation preferentially occurs structure intervals, thus formed liquid embryos incubate grow spatially confined mode, which stores excess surface simultaneously provides asymmetric Laplace pressure, stimulating trapped undergo dewetting transition or even self-jumping, can be facilitated by tall dense nanostructures. Subsequently, adjacent merge mutually further trigger more multifarious self-propelled are affected underlying nanostructure, including transition, coalescence-induced relay. Moreover, improved energy-based model was developed considering nano-physical effects, theoretical prediction extends nanometer-sized but also correlates nanostructure topology velocity. Such cumulative nucleation-growth-coalescence ultimate morphology may offer new strategy for designing functional nanostructured surfaces serve orientationally manipulate, transport collect droplets, motivate engineers achieve performance ceiling condensation.