3D Self-Driven Underwater Aerofluidic Systems Woven with Femtosecond Laser-Structured Superhydrophobic Wires

To overcome the inherent limitations of 2D aerofluidic systems, we propose a novel strategy that combines traditional Chinese weaving technology with superhydrophobic metal wires to construct 3D underwater aerofluidic systems. In water, air is trapped between the femtosecond laser-structured superhydrophobic stainless steel wires and the surrounding water, creating a microscale channel for gas transport within the designed aerofluidic system. The Laplace pressure difference of bubbles across different circular regions woven with superhydrophobic wires can drive spontaneous gas transport along microscale connecting lines in 3D space. Interestingly, various underwater aerofluidic systems can be interconnected simply by touching, enabling the integration of different functional units into a multifunctional aerofluidic system. Beyond basic on-demand gas transport, the integrated systems facilitate gas splitting, gas merging, gas diodes, and multiline/multigas operations such as microreactions between different gases.