Abstract
Microlens arrays (MLAs) and MLA-based artificial compound eyes (ACEs) are the important miniaturized optical components in modern micro-optical systems. However, their optical performance will seriously decline once they are wetted by water droplets (such as fog, dew, and rain droplets) or are polluted by contaminations in a humid environment. In this mini-review, we summarize the research works related to the fabrication of superwetting MLAs and ACEs and show how to integrate superhydrophobic and superoleophobic microstructures with an MLA. The fabrication strategy can be split into two categories. One is the hybrid pattern composed of the MLA domain and the superwetting domain. Another is the direct formation of superwetting nanostructures on the surface of the microlenses. The superhydrophobicity or superoleophobicity endows the MLAs and ACEs with liquid repellence and self-cleaning function besides excellent optical performance. We believe that the superwetting MLAs and ACEs will have significant applications in various optical systems that are often used in the humid or liquid environment.
Highlights
Microlens arrays (MLAs) and MLA-based artificial compound eyes (ACEs) play a key role in advanced micro-optical systems (Pan et al, 2007; Song et al, 2013; Gorzelak et al, 2014; Petsch et al, 2016; Lin et al, 2018)
The recent achievements related to the fabrication of superwetting MLAs and ACEs are reviewed
Inspired by the superwettability in nature, superwetting micro/nanostructures are integrated into the MLA surface, thereby endowing the MLA with anti-liquid and self-cleaning properties
Summary
Microlens arrays (MLAs) and MLA-based artificial compound eyes (ACEs) play a key role in advanced micro-optical systems (Pan et al, 2007; Song et al, 2013; Gorzelak et al, 2014; Petsch et al, 2016; Lin et al, 2018). Lotus leaf has a great ability to repel water droplets and self-clean its surface because of the excellent superhydrophobicity (Figure 1A; Barthlott and Neinhuis, 1997; Yong et al, 2017a). These nipples with a diameter of 101.1 nm are very uniform and organize in a hexagonal nonclose-packed array (Figure 1I) It is the combination of the microscale ommatidia and the nanoscale nipples that creates the superhydrophobicity for preventing fog drops (moisture) from adhering to the mosquito eye. The superhydrophobicity and underwater superoleophobicity in nature can provide some inspiration toward endowing MLAs and ACEs with advanced liquid repellence, anti-contamination, and anti-fogging property by the combination of proper surface microstructure and chemical composition (Wang et al, 2015)
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