Researchers at the University of Rochester have discovered how to make liquid overcome gravity and flow upward along a silicon surface. The essential ingredient, as always: lasers.
The scientists achieved the curious movement by using short laser blasts to carve imperceptible patterns into the silicon sheet. That alone prompts the water molecules to climb upward, without any additional aid:
Unlike a straw, though, there is no outside pressure pushing the liquid up; it rises on its own accord. By creating nanometer-scale structures in silicon, Guo greatly increases the attraction that water molecules feel toward it. The attraction, or hydrophile, of the silicon becomes so great, in fact, that it overcomes the strong bond that water molecules feel for other water molecules.
Thus, instead of sticking to each other, the water molecules climb over one another for a chance to be next to the silicon. (This might seem like getting energy for free, but even though the water rises, thus gaining potential energy, the chemical bonds holding the water to the silicon require a lower energy than the ones holding the water molecules to other water molecules.) The water rushes up the surface at speeds of 3.5 cm per second.
A fun party trick, but are there practical applications? Actually, yes! This could be the first step towards new heat regulation strategies for computers. Instead of fans, we may see liquid cooling systems thanks to silicon that can pump its own coolant. That method would be more energy efficient, cost effective, and most importantly a heckuva lot more lasery. [University of Rochester via CrunchGear]
JLD
March 19, 2010 at 1:45 PM
Could this work for hydro power?
Report PermalinkGraham Jupp
March 19, 2010 at 1:53 PM
WTF?? Isnt this a perpetual motion machine in this form, just add a couple of turbines at the end of each slope?
It sure looks like a prank/illusion to me and I wouldnt be surprised if they are using the technique I saw a few years ago where bubbles are pumped up inside a glass slope filled with water to give the impression that the water is flowing uphill whilst water is actually flowing over the top surface of the glass downhill. The water flowing out the ends is perhaps pumped from underneith.
Something doesnt hold water here.
Report PermalinkWater Bear
March 19, 2010 at 4:25 PM
If you check out the links its just a labratory observation at this point. That picture is obviously just for illustration. There’s more to it than Giz has reported.
Report PermalinkLing Ling
March 19, 2010 at 4:37 PM
The image isn’t from the actual research, it’s just an installation art piece.
An actual image can be found here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/science/16obcool.html?ref=science
Report Permalink[doa]
March 19, 2010 at 2:18 PM
The first real Perpetual Motion Machine?
Report PermalinkJake D
March 19, 2010 at 3:27 PM
Or stick some sort of wheel on the other side of the ramp and harness the energy of the water dropping back down?
Report PermalinkNato
March 19, 2010 at 4:47 PM
You still need power for the lasers.
Report PermalinkDaniel S
March 19, 2010 at 5:04 PM
Is there anything lasers cant do???
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