Additively Manufactured Bioinspired Microstructures for Active Surface Modification

<p>Advancements in additive manufacturing have facilitated the development of bioinspired microstructures, which hold promise for applications, such as liquid transport, self-cleaning, and anti-icing. However, the controllability of these microstructures remains an area requiring further exploration. This research explores the design, fabrication, and active control of 3D-printed bioinspired microstructures for dynamic wettability modulation. First, the anisotropic scales of butterfly wings were replicated through optimized two-photon polymerization printing strategies, achieving directional droplet motion controlled by structural geometry and arrangement. The reversed wetting trend compared with natural wings revealed key insights into the structure–performance relationship. Next, microstructures were integrated with dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) to realize voltage-driven surface tuning. The fabricated surfaces exhibited strong bonding, shape recovery, and tunable hydrophobicity. DEA-induced deformation enabled rapid, reversible wetting state transitions, achieving programmable droplet transport with high precision and repeatability. Building upon the surface-level control enabled by DEA integration, an analytical model for microscale DEA was further developed to achieve actuation of individual microstructures. This model predicts electromechanical performance and ensures electrical reliability, providing a rational design framework beyond trial-and-error fabrication. Together, these advances demonstrate a versatile platform for 3D-printed, actively controllable bioinspired surfaces, enabling adaptive wettability and precise droplet manipulation in microfluidic applications.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Year

2025

Author dc:creator

• Ren, Zefu

• Bio-inspired microstructures; Two-photon polymerization; Controllable wettability; Droplet transportation; DEA; Additive manufacturing
• Structures and Materials

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.erau.edu/edt/932

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.erau.edu:edt-1972