Controllable Leidenfrost glider on a shallow water layer

Abstract

Levitation and self-propelled functions of the Leidenfrost phenomena are attractive. In this study, we propose a Leidenfrost glider having a ratchet-like topology under its body along with the driving method using the asymmetrical viscous vapor flow, as a prototype of a future vehicle that can move on a flat shallow layer freely. We observed that this vehicle can be accelerated to the velocity of approximately 0.2 m/s on a shallow water layer and the direction can be quickly controlled by changing the center of gravity of the vehicle. Our device might be important to reduce the worldwide energy loss of vehicles or to develop innovative microfluidic transportation systems in the future.