Maze solving using temperature-induced Marangoni flow

Abstract

The pH-induced Marangoni flow has been recently shown to be of use for analog computing of topological problems, such as maze solving. Here we show that the temperature-induced Marangoni flow can also be used to find the shortest path in a maze filled with a hot solution of a fatty acid, where the temperature gradient is created by cooling down the exit of the maze. Our method utilizes the fact that the temperature-induced Marangoni flow can transport dye particles at the liquid–air interface added to the entrance of the maze which subsequently dissolve in water during their motion revealing the most likely paths. The most intense flow is maintained through the shortest path which is, therefore, marked by the most intense color of the dissolved dye particles.