Liquid marble refers to a unique form of microscale liquid encapsulation, where small droplets of liquid are coated with a fine layer of hydrophobic powder, such as silica nanoparticles or Teflon. This coating effectively prevents the liquid droplets from merging or spreading, resulting in spherical-shaped droplets that can roll and bounce on surfaces without losing their liquid contents.
The term "liquid marble" is derived from the marble-like appearance of these coated droplets. They exhibit interesting properties due to their encapsulated liquid core and hydrophobic outer layer. Liquid marbles are known for their non-stick nature, high mobility, and resistance to wetting by other liquids.
Liquid marbles have found applications in various fields, including microfluidics, materials science, and biomedical engineering. They are utilized as miniature reactors, microcontainers for drug delivery, and as building blocks for self-assembled structures. Their ability to transport and manipulate small volumes of liquids with precision makes them valuable in fields where controlled liquid handling at the microscale is crucial.