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Droplet microfluidics with a nanoemulsion continuous phase.
- Source :
- Lab on a Chip; 7/21/2016, Vol. 16 Issue 14, p2694-2700, 7p
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- We present the first study of a novel, generalizable method that uses a water-in-oil nanoemulsion as the continuous phase to generate uniform aqueous micro-droplets in a capillary-based microfluidic system. We first study the droplet generation mechanism in this system and compare it to the more conventional case where a simple oil/solvent (with surfactant) is used as the continuous phase. Next, we present two versatile methods – adding demulsifying chemicals and heat treatment – to allow active online chemical interaction between the continuous and dispersed phases. These methods allow each generated micro-droplet to act as a well-mixed micro-reactor with walls that are ‘permeable’ to the nanoemulsion droplets and their contents. Finally, we demonstrate an application of this system in the fabrication of uniform hydrogel (alginate) micro-beads with control over particle properties such as size and swelling. Our work expands the toolbox of droplet-based microfluidics, enabling new opportunities and applications involving active colloidal continuous phases carrying chemical payloads, both in advanced materials synthesis and droplet-based screening and diagnostic methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- EMULSIONS
SEPARATION (Technology)
MICRODROPLETS
NANOFLUIDS
MICROFLUIDICS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14730197
- Volume :
- 16
- Issue :
- 14
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Lab on a Chip
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 117472558
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1039/c6lc00601a