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Yazdanparast S, Rezai P, Amirfazli A. Microfluidic Droplet-Generation Device with Flexible Walls. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1770. [PMID: 37763933 PMCID: PMC10536617 DOI: 10.3390/mi14091770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Controlling droplet sizes is one of the most important aspects of droplet generators used in biomedical research, drug discovery, high-throughput screening, and emulsion manufacturing applications. This is usually achieved by using multiple devices that are restricted in their range of generated droplet sizes. In this paper, a co-flow microfluidic droplet-generation device with flexible walls was developed such that the width of the continuous (C)-phase channel around the dispersed (D)-phase droplet-generating needle can be adjusted on demand. This actuation mechanism allowed for the adjustment of the C-phase flow velocity, hence providing modulated viscous forces to manipulate droplet sizes in a single device. Two distinct droplet-generation regimes were observed at low D-phase Weber numbers, i.e., a dripping regime at high- and medium-channel widths and a plug regime at low-channel widths. The effect of channel width on droplet size was investigated in the dripping regime under three modes of constant C-phase flow rate, velocity, and Capillary number. Reducing the channel width at a constant C-phase flow rate had the most pronounced effect on producing smaller droplets. This effect can be attributed to the combined influences of the wall effect and increased C-phase velocity, leading to a greater impact on droplet size due to the intensified viscous force. Droplet sizes in the range of 175-913 µm were generated; this range was ~2.5 times wider than the state of the art, notably using a single microfluidic device. Lastly, an empirical model based on Buckingham's Pi theorem was developed to predict the size of droplets based on channel width and height as well as the C-phase Capillary and Reynolds numbers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pouya Rezai
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Alidad Amirfazli
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
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2
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Zhang Z, Fan M, Wang Q, Li H, Zhu C, Ma Y, Fu T. Effects of the resultant force due to two-phase density difference on droplet formation in a step-emulsification microfluidic device. J IND ENG CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2022.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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3
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Qiu G, Wei P, Huang P, Pan M. Topology Optimization Design of a Microchannel Plate Based on Velocity Distribution. Chem Eng Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ceat.202000555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guiqian Qiu
- South China University of Technology School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering 510640 Guangzhou China
| | - Peng Wei
- South China University of Technology School of Civil Engineering and Transportation State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science 510640 Guangzhou China
| | - Pingnan Huang
- South China University of Technology School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering 510640 Guangzhou China
| | - Minqiang Pan
- South China University of Technology School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering 510640 Guangzhou China
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Zhang J, Xu W, Xu F, Lu W, Hu L, Zhou J, Zhang C, Jiang Z. Microfluidic droplet formation in co-flow devices fabricated by micro 3D printing. J FOOD ENG 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2020.110212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Fan C, Ma R, Wang Y, Luo J. Demulsification of Oil-in-Water Emulsions in a Novel Rotating Microchannel. Ind Eng Chem Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.0c00843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chunxin Fan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rui Ma
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yubin Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianhong Luo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, People’s Republic of China
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Zhang Y, Kobayashi I, Wada Y, Neves MA, Uemura K, Nakajima M. Asymmetric straight-through microchannel arrays made of aluminum for producing monodisperse O/W emulsions. PARTICULATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/02726351.2019.1612488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yanru Zhang
- Food Research Institute, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Isao Kobayashi
- Food Research Institute, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | - Marcos A. Neves
- Food Research Institute, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Uemura
- Food Research Institute, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Mitsutoshi Nakajima
- Food Research Institute, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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Lopez CG, Watanabe T, Adamo M, Martel A, Porcar L, Cabral JT. Microfluidic devices for small-angle neutron scattering. J Appl Crystallogr 2018; 51:570-583. [PMID: 29896054 PMCID: PMC5988002 DOI: 10.1107/s1600576718007264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A comparative examination is presented of materials and approaches for the fabrication of microfluidic devices for small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Representative inorganic glasses, metals, and polymer materials and devices are evaluated under typical SANS configurations. Performance criteria include neutron absorption, scattering background and activation, as well as spatial resolution, chemical compatibility and pressure resistance, and also cost, durability and manufacturability. Closed-face polymer photolithography between boron-free glass (or quartz) plates emerges as an attractive approach for rapidly prototyped microfluidic SANS devices, with transmissions up to ∼98% and background similar to a standard liquid cell (I ≃ 10-3 cm-1). For applications requiring higher durability and/or chemical, thermal and pressure resistance, sintered or etched boron-free glass and silicon devices offer superior performance, at the expense of various fabrication requirements, and are increasingly available commercially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos G. Lopez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Takaichi Watanabe
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Marco Adamo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Institut Laue–Langevin, 71 avenue des Martyrs, 38042 Grenoble, France
| | - Anne Martel
- Institut Laue–Langevin, 71 avenue des Martyrs, 38042 Grenoble, France
| | - Lionel Porcar
- Institut Laue–Langevin, 71 avenue des Martyrs, 38042 Grenoble, France
| | - João T. Cabral
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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Pan M, Zhang Y, Vafai K. Velocity Uniformity of Microchannels in a Laminated-Sheet Structure Under Parallel and Series Methods. Chem Eng Technol 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ceat.201700291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Minqiang Pan
- South China University of Technology; School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Tianhe District; 510640 Guangzhou China
- University of California, Riverside; Department of Mechanical Engineering; 900 University Ave. CA 92521 Riverside USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- South China University of Technology; School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Tianhe District; 510640 Guangzhou China
| | - Kambiz Vafai
- University of California, Riverside; Department of Mechanical Engineering; 900 University Ave. CA 92521 Riverside USA
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Vladisavljević GT, Khalid N, Neves MA, Kuroiwa T, Nakajima M, Uemura K, Ichikawa S, Kobayashi I. Industrial lab-on-a-chip: design, applications and scale-up for drug discovery and delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2013; 65:1626-63. [PMID: 23899864 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2013.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2013] [Revised: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidics is an emerging and promising interdisciplinary technology which offers powerful platforms for precise production of novel functional materials (e.g., emulsion droplets, microcapsules, and nanoparticles as drug delivery vehicles- and drug molecules) as well as high-throughput analyses (e.g., bioassays, detection, and diagnostics). In particular, multiphase microfluidics is a rapidly growing technology and has beneficial applications in various fields including biomedicals, chemicals, and foods. In this review, we first describe the fundamentals and latest developments in multiphase microfluidics for producing biocompatible materials that are precisely controlled in size, shape, internal morphology and composition. We next describe some microfluidic applications that synthesize drug molecules, handle biological substances and biological units, and imitate biological organs. We also highlight and discuss design, applications and scale up of droplet- and flow-based microfluidic devices used for drug discovery and delivery.
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Kobayashi I, Wada Y, Hori Y, Neves MA, Uemura K, Nakajima M. Microchannel Emulsification Using Stainless-Steel Chips: Oil Droplet Generation Characteristics. Chem Eng Technol 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/ceat.201200044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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12
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Xu L, Tan X, Yun J, Shen S, Zhang S, Tu C, Zhao W, Tian B, Yang G, Yao K. Formulation of Poorly Water-Soluble Compound Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles in a Microchannel System Fabricated by Mechanical Microcutting Method: Puerarin as a Model Drug. Ind Eng Chem Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1021/ie300592u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Linhong Xu
- Faculty of Mechanical &
Electronic Information, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power Transmission and Control, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Xu Tan
- Faculty of Mechanical &
Electronic Information, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Bing Tian
- Key Laboratory for Nuclear-Agricultural
Sciences of Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Nuclear-Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
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Lin YS, Yang CH, Wang CY, Chang FR, Huang KS, Hsieh WC. An aluminum microfluidic chip fabrication using a convenient micromilling process for fluorescent poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) microparticle generation. SENSORS 2012; 12:1455-67. [PMID: 22438719 PMCID: PMC3304121 DOI: 10.3390/s120201455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2011] [Revised: 01/19/2012] [Accepted: 01/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study presents the development of a robust aluminum-based microfluidic chip fabricated by conventional mechanical micromachining (computer numerical control-based micro-milling process). It applied the aluminum-based microfluidic chip to form poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles encapsulating CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs). A cross-flow design and flow-focusing system were employed to control the oil-in-water (o/w) emulsification to ensure the generation of uniformly-sized droplets. The size of the droplets could be tuned by adjusting the flow rates of the water and oil phases. The proposed microfluidic platform is easy to fabricate, set up, organize as well as program, and is valuable for further applications under harsh reaction conditions (high temperature and/or strong organic solvent systems). The proposed method has the advantages of actively controlling the droplet diameter, with a narrow size distribution, good sphericity, as well as being a simple process with a high throughput. In addition to the fluorescent PLGA microparticles in this study, this approach can also be applied to many applications in the pharmaceutical and biomedical area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Sheng Lin
- Department of Biological Science & Technology, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 84001, Taiwan; E-Mails: (Y.-S.L.); (C.-H.Y.); (W.-C.H.)
- Department of Applied Cosmetology and Master Program of Cosmetic Science, Hung-Kuang University, Taichung 43302, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hui Yang
- Department of Biological Science & Technology, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 84001, Taiwan; E-Mails: (Y.-S.L.); (C.-H.Y.); (W.-C.H.)
| | - Chih-Yu Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan; E-Mail:
| | - Fang-Rong Chang
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; E-Mail:
| | - Keng-Shiang Huang
- The School of Chinese Medicine for Post-Baccalaureate, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail:
| | - Wan-Chen Hsieh
- Department of Biological Science & Technology, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 84001, Taiwan; E-Mails: (Y.-S.L.); (C.-H.Y.); (W.-C.H.)
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Marcati A, Prat L, Serra C, Tasseli J, Dubreuil P. Fast Built and Designed Microdevices for Early-Stage Liquid-Liquid System Studies. Chem Eng Technol 2009. [DOI: 10.1002/ceat.200900169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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van Dijke K, Veldhuis G, Schroën K, Boom R. Parallelized edge-based droplet generation (EDGE) devices. LAB ON A CHIP 2009; 9:2824-30. [PMID: 19967120 DOI: 10.1039/b906098g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
We here report on three parallelized designs of the new edge-based droplet generation mechanism, which, unlike existing mechanisms, produces many equally sized droplets simultaneously at a single droplet formation unit. Operation of the scaled-out systems is straight forward; only the oil inlet pressure has to be controlled to let all the units produce oil droplets, given certain basic design constraints. For systems with a typical nozzle depth of 1.2 microm, the mean droplet diameter is 7.5 microm and the coefficient of variation is below 10%. The number of droplets that is formed per unit can easily be increased by increasing the length of the unit. The stable pressure range in which monodisperse droplets are formed can be extended by small adjustments to the design. Overall, the EDGE devices are simple in design and robust in use, making them suitable for massive outscaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen van Dijke
- Food Process Engineering Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Kobayashi I, Nakajima M. Generation and Multiphase Flow of Emulsions in Microchannels. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1002/9783527616749.ch5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Böhmer MR, Schroeders R, Steenbakkers JA, de Winter SH, Duineveld PA, Lub J, Nijssen WP, Pikkemaat JA, Stapert HR. Preparation of monodisperse polymer particles and capsules by ink-jet printing. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2006.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Jousse F, Lian G, Janes R, Melrose J. Compact model for multi-phase liquid-liquid flows in micro-fluidic devices. LAB ON A CHIP 2005; 5:646-56. [PMID: 15915257 DOI: 10.1039/b416666c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
We present a compact model describing the laminar flow of viscous multiphase fluids in micro-channel networks. We apply this model to the flow of 2 immiscible fluids representing typically oil and water, in a network of micro-channels comprising one inlet for each fluid splitting into 2 branches meeting at a T-junction, where the 2 phases are combined before exiting the network through two outlets. This network is akin to an electrical "Wheatstone bridge" and represents a simplified interdigital micro-reactor, where the fluids to be mixed are separated into smaller branches and later re-combined together. We show from an analytical solution and a computational modelling that fluid flow inside this network is very sensitive to small differences in fluid resistance between the various branches of the network, which may lead to catastrophic error in fluid distribution between the various branches that can have a profound effect on mixing. These errors depend on the viscosity difference between the fluids, on the processing conditions, and also on the geometric resistance parameters of the various channels. Increasing the resistance of the distribution channels upstream of the fluid junctions allows minimisation of the distribution errors. Interaction between the fluids can also lead to transients that are orders of magnitude longer than the flooding time of the channels. This may be exploited to provide impedance-like terms in flui-logic operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Jousse
- Unilever Corporate Research, Colworth House, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK.
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Kobayashi I, Nakajima M, Mukataka S. Preparation characteristics of oil-in-water emulsions using differently charged surfactants in straight-through microchannel emulsification. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2003. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2003.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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