Nanoscale actuation of electrokinetic flows on thermoreversible surfaces.

We report on a novel approach for controlling nanohydrodynamic properties at the solid-liquid interfaces through the use of stimuli-responding polymer coatings. The end-tethered polymers undergo a phase separation upon external activation. The reversible change in the thickness and polarity of the grafted polymers yields in a dynamic control of the surface-generated, electrokinetic phenomena.