Capillary Action, Are there structures that aid it?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the feasibility of creating a sculpture that utilizes capillary action to elevate water up to 6 feet using 3D-printed structures. The participant, an art student, seeks to understand the optimal design for capillary structures, emphasizing the need for extremely fine capillaries, which may be impractical for 3D printing. The conversation highlights the importance of surface material and potential coatings to enhance capillary action, while also questioning the effectiveness of small tubes in achieving the desired height.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of capillary action principles
  • Familiarity with 3D printing techniques and materials
  • Knowledge of fluid dynamics
  • Experience with surface coatings and their effects on material properties
NEXT STEPS
  • Research advanced 3D printing techniques for creating fine structures
  • Explore the physics of capillary action in various materials
  • Investigate surface coatings that enhance water adhesion and flow
  • Study existing designs of capillary structures used in art or engineering
USEFUL FOR

Art students, sculptors, engineers, and designers interested in integrating capillary action into their work or projects involving fluid dynamics and material science.

YeeMachine
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Hello,

I'm an art student trying to recreate this phenomenon, but maybe on a larger scale.


I'm trying to create a sculpture that is able to do that. If I can rely on just structure and not worry about materials, that would be great, since my plan is to be able to 3D print it out of plastic.

Was wondering how possible this would be, or if I would have to change materials/designs to get the water to rise "by itself" maybe 6 ft.
 
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Two meters is a challenge and would need extremely fine capillaries - probably too fine to print.
The surface material matters, but that can be changed with a coating if necessary.
 
Is there a structure that would work best?
I'm not too familiar with whatever structure they used in the video.
 
Small tubes work best.
 

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