Capillary filling in patterned channels

We show how the capillary filling of microchannels is affected by posts or ridges on the sides of the channels. Ridges perpendicular to the flow direction introduce contact line pinning, which slows, or sometimes prevents, filling, whereas ridges parallel to the flow provide extra surface that may enhance filling. Patterning the microchannel surface with square posts has little effect on the ability of a channel to fill for equilibrium contact angle theta(e)less than or similar to 30 degrees. For theta(e)greater than or similar to 60 degrees, however, even a small number of posts can pin the advancing liquid front.