近日，香港城市大学Wang, Steven团队研究了毛细管莱顿弗罗斯特效应。相关论文于2026年4月14日发表在《自然—物理学》杂志上。

莱顿弗罗斯特效应最广为人知的表现是：在液滴下方形成一层隔热蒸气层，从而延迟沸腾。该效应在液滴操控和减阻方面具有巨大潜力。然而，由于涉及复杂的液体动力学，调控传统的莱顿弗罗斯特效应对此仍颇具挑战。

研究组报告了一种称为“毛细管莱顿弗罗斯特效应”的行为，该效应能够通过液体蒸发驱动，实现稳定且持续的固体悬浮。它发生在一个温度阈值上，该阈值低于其对应液滴的莱顿弗罗斯特点，且无需特殊的表面制造工艺。该结构由周期性排列的毛细管组成，这些毛细管能够稳定液—气界面、增强热传导并提供液体储存能力。

毛细管莱顿弗罗斯特效应在广泛易得的天然材料和金属中均具有普适性。该实验证明了在实际尺度下实现远距离、持续的自主推进和负载输送的可行性。这一机制为从非接触式输运、减阻到恶劣环境下远距离传输等潜在应用奠定了基础。

附：英文原文

Title: Capillary Leidenfrost effect

Author: Zhang, Zhi, Zhang, Zhenwen, Ji, Bingqiang, Yuan, Yongjiu, Lo, Wai Kin, Wang, Xiong, Yao, Xiaoxue, Xu, Qili, Ling, Chen, Kim, Hyoungsoo, Li, Gang Kevin, Schutzius, Thomas, Wang, Steven

Issue&Volume: 2026-04-14

Abstract: The Leidenfrost effect, best known as the formation of an insulating vapour layer beneath a liquid droplet that delays boiling, offers great potential for droplet manipulation and drag reduction. However, regulating the conventional Leidenfrost effect remains challenging due to the complex liquid dynamics involved. Here we report a behaviour that we term the capillary Leidenfrost effect, which enables stable and sustained solid levitation driven by liquid evaporation. It occurs at a temperature threshold that is below the Leidenfrost point of its droplet counterpart, yet without the need for specialized surface manufacturing techniques. Our structure is composed of periodically arranged capillaries that stabilize the liquid interface, enhance heat conduction and provide liquid storage capacities. The capillary Leidenfrost effect is generic in widely accessible natural materials and metals. Our experiments demonstrate the feasibility of long-distance, sustained self-propulsion and load delivery on a practical scale. This mechanism facilitates potential applications from contactless transportation and drag reduction to extended-distance delivery in harsh environments.

DOI: 10.1038/s41567-026-03255-x

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41567-026-03255-x