New type of microengine using internal combustion of hydrogen and oxygen

Molecular Ratchets and Kinetic Asymmetry: Giving Chemistry Direction

Over the last two decades ratchet mechanisms have transformed the understanding and design of stochastic molecular systems-biological, chemical and physical-in a move away from the mechanical macroscopic analogies that dominated thinking regarding molecular dynamics in the 1990s and early 2000s (e.g. pistons, springs, etc), to the more scale-relevant concepts that underpin out-of-equilibrium research in the molecular sciences today. Ratcheting has established molecular nanotechnology as a research frontier for energy transduction and metabolism, and has enabled the reverse engineering of biomolecular machinery, delivering insights into how molecules 'walk' and track-based synthesisers operate, how the acceleration of chemical reactions enables energy to be transduced by catalysts (both motor proteins and synthetic catalysts), and how dynamic systems can be driven away from equilibrium through catalysis. The recognition of molecular ratchet mechanisms in biology, and their invention in synthetic systems, is proving significant in areas as diverse as supramolecular chemistry, systems chemistry, dynamic covalent chemistry, DNA nanotechnology, polymer and materials science, molecular biology, heterogeneous catalysis, endergonic synthesis, the origin of life, and many other branches of chemical science. Put simply, ratchet mechanisms give chemistry direction. Kinetic asymmetry, the key feature of ratcheting, is the dynamic counterpart of structural asymmetry (i.e. chirality). Given the ubiquity of ratchet mechanisms in endergonic chemical processes in biology, and their significance for behaviour and function from systems to synthesis, it is surely just as fundamentally important. This Review charts the recognition, invention and development of molecular ratchets, focussing particularly on the role for which they were originally envisaged in chemistry, as design elements for molecular machinery. Different kinetically asymmetric systems are compared, and the consequences of their dynamic behaviour discussed. These archetypal examples demonstrate how chemical systems can be driven inexorably away from equilibrium, rather than relax towards it.

Nanoreactors in action for a durable microactuator using spontaneous combustion of gases in nanobubbles

A number of recent studies report enhancement of chemical reactions on water microdroplets or inside nanobubbles in water. This finding promises exciting applications, although the mechanism of the reaction acceleration is still not clear. Specifically, the spontaneous combustion of hydrogen and oxygen in nanobubbles opens the way to fabricate truly microscopic engines. An example is an electrochemical membrane actuator with all three dimensions in the micrometer range. The actuator is driven by short voltage pulses of alternating polarity, which generate only nanobubbles. The device operation is, however, restricted by a fast degradation of the electrodes related to a high current density. Here it is demonstrated that the actuator with ruthenium electrodes does not show signs of degradation in the long-term operation. It is the only material able to withstand the extreme conditions of the alternating polarity electrolysis. This property is due to combination of a high mechanical hardness and metallic conductivity of ruthenium oxide. The actuator combines two features considered impossible: on-water catalysis and combustion in a microscopic volume. It provides an exceptional opportunity to drive autonomous microdevices especially for medical or biological applications.

Fast Electrochemical Actuator with Ti Electrodes in the Current Stabilization Regime

The actuators needed for autonomous microfluidic devices have to be compact, low-power-consuming, and compatible with microtechnology. The electrochemical actuators could be good candidates, but they suffer from a long response time due to slow gas termination. An actuator in which the gas is terminated orders of magnitude faster has been demonstrated recently. It uses water electrolysis performed by short voltage pulses of alternating polarity (AP). However, oxidation of Ti electrodes leads to a rapid decrease in the performance. In this paper, we demonstrate a special driving regime of the actuator, which is able to support a constant stroke for at least 105 cycles. The result is achieved using a new driving regime when a series of AP pulses are interspersed with a series of single-polarity (SP) pulses. The new regime is realized by a special pulse generator that automatically adjusts the amplitude of the SP pulses to keep the current flowing through the electrodes at a fixed level. The SP pulses increase the power consumption by 15–60% compared to the normal AP operation and make the membrane oscillate in a slightly lifted position.

Stimuli-responsive nanobubbles for biomedical applications

Stimuli-responsive nanobubbles have received increased attention for their application in spatial and temporal resolution of diagnostic techniques and therapies, particularly in multiple imaging methods, and they thus have significant potential for applications in the field of biomedicine. This review presents an overview of the recent advances in the development of stimuli-responsive nanobubbles and their novel applications. Properties of both internal- and external-stimuli responsive nanobubbles are highlighted and discussed considering the potential features required for biomedical applications. Furthermore, the methods used for synthesis and characterization of nanobubbles are outlined. Finally, novel biomedical applications are proposed alongside the advantages and shortcomings inherent to stimuli-responsive nanobubbles.

A Peristaltic Micropump Based on the Fast Electrochemical Actuator: Design, Fabrication, and Preliminary Testing

Microfluidic devices providing an accurate delivery of fluids at required rates are of considerable interest, especially for the biomedical field. The progress is limited by the lack of micropumps, which are compact, have high performance, and are compatible with standard microfabrication. This paper describes a micropump based on a new driving principle. The pump contains three membrane actuators operating peristaltically. The actuators are driven by nanobubbles of hydrogen and oxygen, which are generated in the chamber by a series of short voltage pulses of alternating polarity applied to the electrodes. This process guaranties the response time of the actuators to be much shorter than that of any other electrochemical device. The main part of the pump has a size of about 3 mm, which is an order of magnitude smaller in comparison with conventional micropumps. The pump is fabricated in glass and silicon wafers using standard cleanroom processes. The channels are formed in SU-8 photoresist and the membrane is made of SiNx. The channels are sealed by two processes of bonding between SU-8 and SiNx. Functionality of the channels and membranes is demonstrated. A defect of electrodes related to the lift-off fabrication procedure did not allow a demonstration of the pumping process although a flow rate of 1.5 µL/min and dosage accuracy of 0.25 nL are expected. The working characteristics of the pump make it attractive for the use in portable drug delivery systems, but the fabrication technology must be improved.

Highly energetic impact of H2 and O2 nanobubbles on Pt surface

Hypothesis Water electrolysis performed by short (≲5μs) voltage pulses of alternating polarity generates a dense cloud of H₂ and O₂ nanobubbles. Platinum electrodes turn black in this process, while they behave differently when the polarity is not altered. We prove that the modification of Pt is associated with highly energetic impact of nanobubbles rather than with any electrochemical process. Experiments Nanobubbles are generated by planar Pt or Ti microelectrodes. The process is driven by a series of alternating or single polarity pulses. In the case of Ti electrodes a Pt plate is separated by a gap from the electrodes. Nanoparticles on the surface of platinum are investigated with a scanning electron microscope and elemental composition is analysed using an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer. Findings Vigorous formation of Pt nanoparticles with a size of 10 nm is observed when the process is driven by the alternating polarity pulses. The effects of Pt corrosion have different character and cannot explain the phenomenon. Similar nanoparticles are observed when the Pt plate is exposed to a stream of nanobubbles. The process is explained by spontaneous combustion of hydrogen and oxygen nanobubbles on Pt surface. The phenomenon can be used to remove strongly adhered particles from solids.

Surface nanobubbles: Theory, simulation, and experiment. A review

Surface nanobubbles (NBs) are stable gaseous phases in liquids that form at the interface with solid substrates. They have been particularly intriguing for their high stability that contradicts theoretical expectations and their potential relevance for many technological applications. Here, we present the current state of the art in this research area by discussing and contrasting main results obtained from theory, simulation and experiment, and presenting their limitations. We also provide future perspectives anticipating that this review will stimulate further studies in the research area of surface NBs.

Understanding Combustion of H2/O2 Gases inside Nanobubbles Generated by Water Electrolysis Using Reactive Molecular Dynamic Simulations

This work explored the mechanism of spontaneous combustion of hydrogen-oxygen mixtures inside nanobubbles (which were generated by water electrolysis) using reactive molecular dynamic simulations based on the first-principles derived reactive force field ReaxFF. The effects of surface-assisted dissociation of H₂ and O₂ gases that produced H and O radicals were examined. Additionally, the ignition outcome and species evolution as a function of the initial system pressure (or bubble size) were studied. A significant amount of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), 6-140 times water (H₂O), was observed in the combustion products. This was attributed to the low-temperature (∼300 K) and high-pressure (2-80 atm) conditions at which the chemical reactions were taking place. In addition, the rate of consumption of H₂ and O₂ molecules was found to increase with an increase in added H and O radical concentrations and initial system pressure. The rate at which heat was being lost from the combustion chamber (nanobubbles) was also compared to the rate at which heat was being released from the chemical reactions. Only a slight rise in the reaction temperature was observed (∼68 K), signifying that, at such small scales, heat losses dominate. The resulting chemistry was quite different from macroscopic combustion, which usually takes place at a much higher temperatures of above 1000 K.

Collective behavior of bulk nanobubbles produced by alternating polarity electrolysis

Nanobubbles in liquids are mysterious gaseous objects with exceptional stability. They promise a wide range of applications, but their production is not well controlled and localized. Alternating polarity electrolysis of water is a tool that can control the production of bulk nanobubbles in space and time without generating larger bubbles. Using the schlieren technique, the detailed three-dimensional structure of a dense cloud of nanobubbles above the electrodes is visualized. It is demonstrated that the thermal effects produce a different schlieren pattern and have different dynamics. A localized volume enriched with nanobubbles can be separated from the parent cloud and exists on its own. This volume demonstrates buoyancy, from which the concentration of nanobubbles is estimated as 2 × 10¹⁸ m^-3. This concentration is smaller than that in the parent cloud. Dynamic light scattering shows that the average size of nanobubbles during the process is 60-80 nm. The bubbles are observed 15 minutes after switching off the electrical pulses but their size is shifted to larger values of about 250 nm. Thus, an efficient way to generate and control nanobubbles is proposed.

Electrically controlled cloud of bulk nanobubbles in water solutions

Using different experimental techniques we visualize a cloud of gas in water that is produced electrochemically by the alternating polarity process. Liquid enriched with gas does not contain bubbles strongly scattering visible light but its refractive index changes significantly near the electrodes. The change of the refractive index is a collective effect of bulk nanobubbles with a diameter smaller than 200 nm. Any alternative explanation fails to explain the magnitude of the effect. Spatial structure of the cloud is investigated with the optical lever method. Its dynamics is visualised observing optical distortion of the electrode images or using differential interference contrast method. The cloud covers concentric electrodes, in a steady state it is roughly hemispherical with a size two times larger than the size of the electrode structure. When the electrical pulses are switched off the cloud disappears in less than one second. The total concentration of gases can reach very high value estimated as 3.5 × 10²⁰ cm⁻³ that corresponds to an effective supersaturation of 500 and 150 for hydrogen and oxygen, respectively.

Highly energetic phenomena in water electrolysis

Water electrolysis performed in microsystems with a fast change of voltage polarity produces optically invisible nanobubbles containing H₂ and O₂ gases. In this form the gases are able to the reverse reaction of water formation. Here we report extreme phenomena observed in a millimeter-sized open system. Under a frequency of driving pulses above 100 kHz the process is accompanied by clicking sounds repeated every 50 ms or so. Fast video reveals that synchronously with the click a bubble is growing between the electrodes which reaches a size of 300 μm in 50 μs. Detailed dynamics of the system is monitored by means of a vibrometer by observing a piece of silicon floating above the electrodes. The energy of a single event is estimated as 0.3 μJ and a significant part of this energy is transformed into mechanical work moving the piece. The observations are explained by the combustion of hydrogen and oxygen mixture in the initial bubble with a diameter of about 40 μm. Unusual combustion mechanism supporting spontaneous ignition at room temperature is responsible for the process. The observed effect demonstrates a principal possibility to build a microscopic internal combustion engine.

Phase Transformations of Cobalt Oxides in CoxOy-ZnO Multipod Nanostructures via Combustion from Thermopower Waves

The study of combustion at the interfaces of materials and chemical fuels has led to developments in diverse fields such as materials chemistry and energy conversion. Recently, it has been suggested that thermopower waves can utilize chemical-thermal-electrical-energy conversion in hybrid structures comprising nanomaterials and combustible fuels to produce enhanced combustion waves with concomitant voltage generation. In this study, this is the first time that the direct phase transformation of Co-doped ZnO via instant combustion waves and its applications to thermopower waves is presented. It is demonstrated that the chemical combustion waves at the surfaces of Co3O4-ZnO multipod nanostructures (deep brown in color) enable direct phase transformations to newly formed CoO-ZnO(1-x) nanoparticles (olive green in color). The oxygen molecules are released from Co3O4-ZnO to CoO-ZnO(1-x) under high-temperature conditions in the reaction front regime in combustion, whereas the CoO-ZnO multipod nanoparticles do not undergo any transformations and thus do not experience any color change. This oxygen-release mechanism is applicable to thermopower waves, enhances the self-propagating combustion velocity, and forms lattice defects that interrupt the charge-carrier movements inside the nanostructures. The chemical transformation and corresponding energy transport observed in this study can contribute to diverse potential applications, including direct-combustion synthesis and energy conversion.