Absorbent microstructure arrays and methods of use

An absorbent microstructure array, comprising:

• a plurality of microstructure panels each having:
• a front surface, a back surface, and a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge and the second edge are opposite with respect to each other and wherein a third edge and a fourth edge are opposite with respect to each other;
• and
• a corrugated capillary profile associated with the front surface, the corrugated capillary profile comprises alternating arcuate capillary ridges and arcuate capillary channels, the alternating arcuate capillary ridges and the arcuate capillary channels being straight and extending orthogonally to the first edge and the second edge, the alternating arcuate capillary ridges forming a first set of capillary tubes with the front surface;
• a capillary wall ridge disposed outside a periphery of the alternating arcuate capillary ridges, the capillary wall ridge comprising:
• a first section extending parallel to a first outermost arcuate capillary ridge of the alternating arcuate capillary ridges;
• a second section extending parallel to a second outermost arcuate capillary ridge of the alternating arcuate capillary ridges;
• a third section extending orthogonally to first ends of the alternating arcuate capillary ridges, the third section being connected, by a first end of the third section, to the first section and connected, by a second end of the third section, to the second section;
• and
• one or more fourth sections extending from the third section along the alternating arcuate capillary ridges in a direction towards second ends of the alternating arcuate capillary ridges, the one or more fourth sections being disposed in parallel to the first section and the second section and being distributed uniformly between the first section and the second section, the one or more fourth sections segmenting the alternating arcuate capillary ridges into sections and restricting a fluid flow between the sections;
• and
• the plurality of microstructure panels form an absorbent microstructure array by layering the plurality of microstructure panels together such that the alternating arcuate capillary ridges of one microstructure panel contact the back surface of an adjacent microstructure panel to create a second set of capillary tubes from the arcuate capillary channels.