Under things I never thought I would ever read, apparently there is a type of liquid that can solve a maze. Surely that is not real. But it is. If you want to make a guess what 3 things make up this concoction do it now.

The "Intelligent" Maze Solving Liquid

How it works: Scientists have created a liquid that can navigate a maze without any external guidance. This "intelligent" liquid is a mixture of soap, milk, and ink. The key is the combination of surfactants (found in soap and milk) which create a resistance gradient that guides the liquid along the correct path.
Surface Tension: The driving force behind this phenomenon is surface tension. Surfactants reduce the surface tension around the ink, initiating movement (Marangoni Flows). The milk adds another surfactant, creating a "landscape of varying resistances" that helps the liquid find the most efficient route.
- What are Marangoni Flows?

Surface Tension Gradients: Marangoni flows are the movement of fluids caused by differences in surface tension. Surface tension is the force that holds the surface of a liquid together. This movement caused by surface tension gradients is what allows the intelligent liquid to navigate the maze.
Causes of Gradients: These surface tension differences can arise from:
- Temperature Gradients: When some parts of a liquid surface are warmer than others, the warmer areas have lower surface tension.
- Concentration Gradients (WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH): Variations in the concentration of substances (like surfactants) across a liquid surface also lead to surface tension gradients

Potential Applications: This discovery could have significant implications for fluid transport in complex systems, such as drug delivery within the body or improving lung health.
Check out the video below on the maze solving phenomenon.

This is not the only way a liquid can solve a maze, but it is the most interesting! While the 'intelligent' liquid utilizes Marangoni flows, other liquids can solve mazes through different scientific principles. Here are 2 other known ways liquids can solve mazes using science.

Other Maze-Solving Liquids

Chemical Reactions: Some experiments use chemical reactions to guide liquids through mazes. For example, a liquid containing a chemical that reacts with a substance placed at the end of the maze can be used. The reaction creates a "trail" that the liquid follows.
Acids and Bases: Another approach involves using acids and bases. By placing an acid at one end of the maze and a base at the other, a liquid containing an indicator (a substance that changes color in the presence of an acid or base) can be guided through the maze as the acid and base neutralize each other.

Important Considerations for Creating Liquid Mazes

Maze Design: The design of the maze plays a crucial role in whether a liquid can solve it. Simple mazes with clear paths are easier for liquids to navigate, while more complex mazes may require specific liquid properties or chemical reactions. This sounds similar to how humans solve mazes!
Liquid Properties: The viscosity, surface tension, and chemical reactivity of the liquid are all important factors that determine its ability to solve a maze.
Experimental Setup: The way the liquid is introduced into the maze and the overall experimental setup can also influence the results.

Additional Resources