LAUSR

Abstract The soft lithography process with water marbles immersed into the PDMS matrix is demonstrated. Near-surface cavities, decorated with the toroidal residues, built of the colloidal particles, initially coating the marbles, are formed in the course of evaporation of water filling the liquid marbles. Water liquid marbles coated with lycopodium, polyethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene particles remained attached to the PDMS/air interface from below due to the capillary bridges. The analysis of the equilibrium of a liquid marble supported by the capillary bridge is suggested. Thermal fields arising from cross-linking of PDMS and evaporation of water from liquid marbles are explored. The migration of colloidal particles coating the marbles towards the contact line in the course of water evaporation is reported and analyzed. Migration of particles is related to the “coffee-stain effect”. Mechanical properties of the PDMS samples stamped with the liquid marbles are reported.