Programmable intelligent liquid matter: material, science and technology

Abstract Intelligent responses, transformation and desired delivery of liquids involve the intersection among materials, physics, and chemistry. The precise programmed operation has been found rather significant in many emerging fields, such as microfluidic devices, digital fluids, intelligent matter, responsive liquid machines, interactive display, soft robotic system and drug delivery, etc. This article is dedicated to presenting a comprehensive review of recent advances in the programmable actuation of liquid matter controlled by unique substrate structures and various physical fields. First, the fundamental theories of asymmetric surface microstructure and specifically administrated external effects such as electric, magnetic, acoustic, light, and thermal fields to drive droplets are illustrated. Then, we compare the advantages and disadvantages of these typical technological strategies. Furthermore, the practical multifunctional extension of programmable liquids based on different actuation mechanisms is presented. Finally, we summarize the design schemes of programming units for liquid matter and give perspective on possible future research directions, providing a brief reference for researchers interested in the field.