Gel-Based Marangoni Actuators: Mechanisms, Material Designs, Driving Modes, and Cross-Scale Applications.

Xuehao Feng, Zhizheng Gao, Wenguang Yang, Shuliang Zhu

Abstract readReview

In one paragraph

Review in Gels (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it

0cells of the map it votes in

0citing papers in PubMed

–field-weighted citation impact

1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Xuehao FengSchool of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.

Zhizheng GaoSchool of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.

Wenguang YangSchool of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.ORCID 0000-0002-1560-665X

Shuliang ZhuSchool of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.

Funding

Fundamental Research Projects of Science&Technology Innovation and development Plan in Yantai City 2024JCYJ050Shandong Province Natural Science Foundation ZR2024MF007

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Marangoni actuators, rooted in interfacial tension gradients, stand as a significant advancement in micro-nano engineering. This review synthesizes their core mechanisms, which hinge on establishing gradients via temperature or solute concentration, with structural designs facilitating directional motion. Key actuation modalities, encompassing light, chemical, and electric driving, exhibit distinct characteristics in controllability and responsiveness. Their applications span cross-scale scenarios, from microscopic operations to macroscopic functional implementations. Current challenges involve optimizing performance and enhancing multi-field coordination, while future directions focus on advanced materials, intelligent regulation, and scalable fabrication. These actuators hold substantial potential in interdisciplinary fields, such as biomedicine, environmental engineering, and microfluidics.

Indexed as

actuation mechanismscross-scale applicationsinterfacial tension gradientsMarangoni actuatorsMarangoni effect

Identifiers

PMID41002504

DOI10.3390/gels11090730

PMCPMC12469534

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY

Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.