1
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Fischer J, Porcar L, Cabral JT, Sottmann T. Using an amphiphilic diblock copolymer to understand the shear-induced structural transformation of bicontinuous microemulsions. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 671:124-133. [PMID: 38795533 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Amphiphilic diblock copolymers are known to increase the surfactant's efficiency to stabilize microemulsion, leading to higher structural order and monolayer rigidity. We thus seek to evaluate whether the addition of such polymers alters the shear behavior of bicontinuous microemulsions, in particular, their shear transformation towards lamellar structures. EXPERIMENTS We examine the initial structure and shear response of bicontinuous /n-octane//PEP5-b-PEO5 microemulsions by coupling microfluidics with small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), attaining wall shear rates in excess of . The azimuthal analysis of the obtained 2D scattering patterns allows us to follow their structural transformation by means of the degree of anisotropy. FINDINGS The amphiphilic diblock copolymer promotes the shear-induced transformation of bicontinuous microemulsions, resulting in up to ∼ higher degrees of anisotropy than for corresponding polymer-free microemulsions. The increased shear response observed with increasing polymer content is rationalized by combining the influence of domain size and viscosity with the stability limits of the bicontinuous microemulsion in the isothermal phase diagram. As a result, a consistent description of the degree of anisotropy is obtained, enabling the prediction of the shear-induced bicontinuous-to-lamellar transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Fischer
- Instiute of Physical Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Lionel Porcar
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156, 38042 Grenoble CEDEX 9, France
| | - João T Cabral
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Sottmann
- Instiute of Physical Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
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2
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Biscaia-Caleiras M, Fonseca NA, Lourenço AS, Moreira JN, Simões S. Rational formulation and industrial manufacturing of lipid-based complex injectables: Landmarks and trends. J Control Release 2024; 373:617-639. [PMID: 39002799 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Lipid-based complex injectables are renowned for their effectiveness in delivering drugs, with many approved products. While significant strides have been made in formulating nanosystems for small molecular weight drugs, a pivotal breakthrough emerged with the recognition of lipid nanoparticles as a promising platform for delivering nucleic acids. This finding has paved the way for tackling long-standing challenges in molecular and delivery aspects (e.g., mRNA stability, intracellular delivery) that have impeded the clinical translation of gene therapy, especially in the realm of immunotherapy. Nonetheless, developing and implementing new lipid-based delivery systems pose significant challenges, as industrial manufacturing of these formulations often involves complex, multi-batch processes, giving rise to issues related to scalability, stability, sterility, and regulatory compliance. To overcome these obstacles, embracing the principles of quality-by-design (QbD) is imperative. Furthermore, adopting cutting-edge manufacturing and process analytical tools (PAT) that facilitate the transition from batch to continuous production is essential. Herein, the key milestones and insights derived from the development of currently approved lipid- nanosystems will be explored. Additionally, a comprehensive and critical overview of the latest technologies and regulatory guidelines that underpin the creation of more efficient, scalable, and flexible manufacturing processes for complex lipid-based nanoformulations will be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Biscaia-Caleiras
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Bluepharma-Indústria Farmacêutica, S.A., São Martinho do Bispo, 3045-016 Coimbra, Portugal; Univ Coimbra-University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nuno A Fonseca
- Bluepharma-Indústria Farmacêutica, S.A., São Martinho do Bispo, 3045-016 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Sofia Lourenço
- Bluepharma-Indústria Farmacêutica, S.A., São Martinho do Bispo, 3045-016 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Nuno Moreira
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Univ Coimbra-University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Simões
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Bluepharma-Indústria Farmacêutica, S.A., São Martinho do Bispo, 3045-016 Coimbra, Portugal; Univ Coimbra-University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
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3
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Le Brun AP, Gilbert EP. Advances in sample environments for neutron scattering for colloid and interface science. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 327:103141. [PMID: 38631095 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2024.103141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
This review describes recent advances in sample environments across the full complement of applicable neutron scattering techniques to colloid and interface science. Temperature, pressure, flow, tensile testing, ultrasound, chemical reactions, IR/visible/UV light, confinement, humidity and electric and magnetic field application, as well as tandem X-ray methods, are all addressed. Consideration for material choices in sample environments and data acquisition methods are also covered as well as discussion of current and potential future use of machine learning and artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton P Le Brun
- Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234, Australia
| | - Elliot Paul Gilbert
- Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234, Australia.
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4
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Du J, Lee S, Sinha S, Solberg FS, Ho DLL, Sampson JP, Wang Q, Tam T, Skylar-Scott MA. A Visual, In-Expensive, and Wireless Capillary Rheometer for Characterizing Wholly-Cellular Bioinks. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2304778. [PMID: 38085139 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202304778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Rheological measurements with in situ visualization can elucidate the microstructural origin of complex flow behaviors of an ink. However, existing commercial rheometers suffer from high costs, the need for dedicated facilities for microfabrication, a lack of design flexibility, and cabling that complicates operation in sterile or enclosed environments. To address these limitations, a low-cost ($300) visual, in-expensive and wireless rheometer (VIEWR) using 3D-printed and off-the-shelf components is presented. VIEWR measurements are validated by steady-state and transient flow responses for different complex fluids, and microstructural flow profiles and evolution of yield-planes are revealed via particle image velocimetry. Using the VIEWR, a wholly-cellular bioink system comprised of compacted cell aggregates is characterized, and complex yield-stress and viscoelastic responses are captured via concomitantly visualizing the spatiotemporal evolution of aggregate morphology. A symmetric hyperbolic extensional-flow geometry is further constructed inside a capillary tube using digital light processing. Such geometries allow for measuring the extensional viscosity at varying deformation rates and further visualizing the alignment and stretching of aggregates under external flow. Synchronized but asymmetric evolution of aggregate orientation and strain through the neck is visualized. Using varying geometries, the jamming and viscoelastic deformation of aggregates are shown to contribute to the extensional viscosity of the wholly-cellular bioinks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyi Du
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Stacey Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Soham Sinha
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Fredrik S Solberg
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Debbie L L Ho
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Joshua P Sampson
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Qiuling Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Tony Tam
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Mark A Skylar-Scott
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Basic Science and Engineering Initiative, Children's Heart Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94304, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
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5
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Fischer J, Porcar L, Cabral JT, Sottmann T. Spatial mapping and scaling of the shear-induced transformation from bicontinuous microemulsions towards lamellar structures by coupling microfluidics and SANS. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:7070-7083. [PMID: 37492886 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00558e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Coupling microfluidics and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), we investigate the influence of shear flow on a model bicontinuous microemulsion of D2O/n-octane/C10E4, examining the role of membrane volume fraction in the transformation towards a lamellar structure. We employ a contraction-expansion geometry with flow velocities in excess of 10 m s-1 and spatially map the microfluidic field using a small SANS beam, illuminating down to 10 nL sample volumes. The shear-induced, progressive, bicontinuous-to-lamellar transition is found to be promoted by additional extensional flow (>103 s-1), while fast relaxation kinetics (<2 ms) return the scattering pattern to isotropic shortly after the constriction. Further, increasing the domain size of the bicontinuous structure (determined by the membrane volume fraction) appears to amplify its response to shear. Hence, the structural changes within the dilute bicontinuous microemulsions simply scale with the volume fraction of the membrane. By contrast, the stronger response of the microemulsion with the smallest domain size, located near the bicontinuous/lamellar coexistence, indicates an influence of an already more ordered structure with fewer passages. Our findings provide insight into the high shear behaviour of microemulsions of both academic and industrial relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Fischer
- Instiute of Physical Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Lionel Porcar
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156, 38042 Grenoble CEDEX 9, France
| | - João T Cabral
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Thomas Sottmann
- Instiute of Physical Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
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6
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Torquato LMG, Hélaine N, Cui Y, O'Connell R, Gummel J, Robles ESJ, Jacob D, Cabral JT. Microfluidic in-line dynamic light scattering with a commercial fibre optic system. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:2540-2552. [PMID: 37185587 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00062a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
We report the coupling of dynamic light scattering (DLS) in microfluidics, using a contact-free fibre-optic system, enabling the under-flow characterisation of a range of solutions, dispersions, and structured fluids. The system is evaluated and validated with model systems, specifically micellar and (dilute) polymer solutions, and colloidal dispersions of different radii (∼1-100 nm). A systematic method of flow-DLS analysis is examined as a function of flow velocity (0-16 cm s-1), and considerations of the relative contribution of 'transit' and 'Brownian' terms enable the identification of regions where (i) a quiescent approximation suffices, (ii) the flow-DLS framework holds, as well as (iii) where deviations are found, until eventually (iv) the convection dominates. We investigate practically relevant, robust setups, namely that of a capillary connected to microdevice, as well as direct measurement on a glass microdevice, examining the role of capillary dimensions and challenges of optical alignment. We conclude with a demonstration of a continuous flow measurement of a binary surfactant/salt solution, whose micellar dimensions vary with composition, characterised with hundreds of data points (every ∼5 s) and adequate statistics, within a few minutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M G Torquato
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Nelson Hélaine
- CNRS UMR 5623, Laboratoire des IMRCP, Universite Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Yufan Cui
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Roisin O'Connell
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Jérémie Gummel
- Procter & Gamble, Brussels Innovation Centre, Temselaan 100, 1853 Strombeek-Bever, Belgium
| | - Eric S J Robles
- Procter & Gamble, Newcastle Innovation Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 9TS, UK
| | - David Jacob
- Cordouan Technologies, 11 Avenue Canteranne, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - João T Cabral
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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7
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Fischer J, Porcar L, Cabral JT, Sottmann T. Shear-induced sponge-to-lamellar transition in bicontinuous microemulsions evidenced by microfluidic-SANS. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 635:588-597. [PMID: 36610202 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.12.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Shear flow applied to bicontinuous microemulsions is expected to induce a transition to lamellae via the suppression of surfactant monolayer fluctuations. Compared to the topologically analogous L3 (sponge) phase, composed of surfactant bilayers, this transition is likely to occur at much higher shear rates. EXPERIMENTS We examine the flow response of a model bicontinuous microemulsion, D2O/n-octane/C10E4 by coupling microfluidics with small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), attaining wall shear rates in excess of 105 s-1. The reduction of probed sample volumes down to ∼10 nL allows the spatial mapping of the structural and orientation changes within the microchannel, as a function of the flow field components. FINDINGS With increasing flow rate, we observe a gradual increase in scattering anisotropy, accompanied by a decrease of the microemulsion domain size along the main flow orientation. A consistent description of the degree of anisotropy was obtained when considering the velocity gradient along the scattering plane perpendicular to the flow. We discuss the flow dependence of the effective bending rigidity, rationalizing a strong influence of shear on thermal membrane fluctuations. Assuming a similar shear dependence for the saddle splay modulus, the bicontinuous-to-lamellar transition can be attributed to the gradual disappearance of inter-lamellar passages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Fischer
- Instiute of Physical Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Lionel Porcar
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156, 38042 Grenoble CEDEX 9, France
| | - João T Cabral
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Sottmann
- Instiute of Physical Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
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8
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Donina L, Porcar L, Cabral JT. Effect of salt on the lamellar L α-to-MLV transformation in SDS/octanol/water under microfluidic flow. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:7010-7019. [PMID: 35912998 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00643j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We investigate the effect of added (NaCl) salt and varying flow rate on the phase behaviour and flow response of a model surfactant Lα phase, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)/octanol/water, using small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and polarised optical microscopy in microfluidics, supported by NMR, viscosity, conductivity and zeta potential measurements. A long (∼3 m) tubular microchannel device is employed to quantify the spatiotemporal structural evolution of the system towards multilamellar vesicles (MLV). The effect of salt is rationalised in terms of changes in membrane bending rigidity and phase stability. It is shown that ∼1.8 w/w% NaCl addition results in MLV formation within the shortest time (or equivalent lengthscale) and yields near-centrosymmetric scattering profiles characteristic of MLVs (at a reference 1 mL h-1 flow rate and ≃90 s-1 shear rate). Further salt addition yields biphasic systems that remain strongly aligned under flow, while lower salt content also increases scattering anisotropy, accompanied by higher membrane rigidity and solution viscosity. Increasing flow rate causes greater initial Lα alignment, and thus flow anisotropy, but also faster evolution towards isotropy and MLV formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liva Donina
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Lionel Porcar
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, B.P. 156, F-38042 Grenoble Cedex, France
| | - João T Cabral
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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9
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Yaghmur A, Hamad I. Microfluidic Nanomaterial Synthesis and In Situ SAXS, WAXS, or SANS Characterization: Manipulation of Size Characteristics and Online Elucidation of Dynamic Structural Transitions. Molecules 2022; 27:4602. [PMID: 35889473 PMCID: PMC9323596 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27144602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
With the ability to cross biological barriers, encapsulate and efficiently deliver drugs and nucleic acid therapeutics, and protect the loaded cargos from degradation, different soft polymer and lipid nanoparticles (including liposomes, cubosomes, and hexosomes) have received considerable interest in the last three decades as versatile platforms for drug delivery applications and for the design of vaccines. Hard nanocrystals (including gold nanoparticles and quantum dots) are also attractive for use in various biomedical applications. Here, microfluidics provides unique opportunities for the continuous synthesis of these hard and soft nanomaterials with controllable shapes and sizes, and their in situ characterization through manipulation of the flow conditions and coupling to synchrotron small-angle X-ray (SAXS), wide-angle scattering (WAXS), or neutron (SANS) scattering techniques, respectively. Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic devices are attractive not only for the continuous production of monodispersed nanomaterials, but also for improving our understanding of the involved nucleation and growth mechanisms during the formation of hard nanocrystals under confined geometry conditions. They allow further gaining insight into the involved dynamic structural transitions, mechanisms, and kinetics during the generation of self-assembled nanostructures (including drug nanocarriers) at different reaction times (ranging from fractions of seconds to minutes). This review provides an overview of recently developed 2D and 3D microfluidic platforms for the continuous production of nanomaterials, and their simultaneous use in in situ characterization investigations through coupling to nanostructural characterization techniques (e.g., SAXS, WAXS, and SANS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anan Yaghmur
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Islam Hamad
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Madaba, Madaba 11821, Jordan;
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10
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Del Giudice F. A Review of Microfluidic Devices for Rheological Characterisation. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:167. [PMID: 35208292 PMCID: PMC8877273 DOI: 10.3390/mi13020167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The rheological characterisation of liquids finds application in several fields ranging from industrial production to the medical practice. Conventional rheometers are the gold standard for the rheological characterisation; however, they are affected by several limitations, including high costs, large volumes required and difficult integration to other systems. By contrast, microfluidic devices emerged as inexpensive platforms, requiring a little sample to operate and fashioning a very easy integration into other systems. Such advantages have prompted the development of microfluidic devices to measure rheological properties such as viscosity and longest relaxation time, using a finger-prick of volumes. This review highlights some of the microfluidic platforms introduced so far, describing their advantages and limitations, while also offering some prospective for future works.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Del Giudice
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK
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11
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Donina L, Rafique A, Khodaparast S, Porcar L, Cabral JT. Lamellar-to-MLV transformation in SDS/octanol/brine examined by microfluidic-SANS and polarised microscopy. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:10053-10062. [PMID: 34713873 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01215k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The lamellar-to-multilamellar vesicle (MLV) transformation in a model surfactant system, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), octanol and brine, is investigated under continuous and oscillatory microfluidic contraction-expansion flows, employing polarised optical microscopy and small angle neutron scattering (SANS), with sample volume probed down to ≃20 nL. We determine the lamellar-to-MLV transition requirements at varying flow velocity, oscillation amplitude, frequency, and number of oscillatory cycles. The spatio-temporal evolution of the hierarchical fluid structure is elucidated: lamellar sheets initially align with flow direction upon entering a constriction and then perpendicularly upon exiting; the formation of MLVs at the nanoscale is first observed by SANS within a few (<5) oscillatory cycles, followed by the gradual appearance of a regular (albeit not crystalline) MLV arrangement, at the micronscale, by optical microscopy after tens of cycles, under the conditions investigated. Once MLVs form under flow, these remain metastable for several days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liva Donina
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Aysha Rafique
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Sepideh Khodaparast
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Lionel Porcar
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, B.P. 156, F-38042 Grenoble CEDEX, France
| | - João T Cabral
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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12
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Nagasaka M, Kosugi N. Soft X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy for Observing Element-specific Intermolecular Interaction in Solution Chemistry. CHEM LETT 2021. [DOI: 10.1246/cl.200938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masanari Nagasaka
- Institute for Molecular Science, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
- SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Kosugi
- Institute for Molecular Science, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
- SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
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13
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Danielsen SPO, Beech HK, Wang S, El-Zaatari BM, Wang X, Sapir L, Ouchi T, Wang Z, Johnson PN, Hu Y, Lundberg DJ, Stoychev G, Craig SL, Johnson JA, Kalow JA, Olsen BD, Rubinstein M. Molecular Characterization of Polymer Networks. Chem Rev 2021; 121:5042-5092. [PMID: 33792299 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Polymer networks are complex systems consisting of molecular components. Whereas the properties of the individual components are typically well understood by most chemists, translating that chemical insight into polymer networks themselves is limited by the statistical and poorly defined nature of network structures. As a result, it is challenging, if not currently impossible, to extrapolate from the molecular behavior of components to the full range of performance and properties of the entire polymer network. Polymer networks therefore present an unrealized, important, and interdisciplinary opportunity to exert molecular-level, chemical control on material macroscopic properties. A barrier to sophisticated molecular approaches to polymer networks is that the techniques for characterizing the molecular structure of networks are often unfamiliar to many scientists. Here, we present a critical overview of the current characterization techniques available to understand the relation between the molecular properties and the resulting performance and behavior of polymer networks, in the absence of added fillers. We highlight the methods available to characterize the chemistry and molecular-level properties of individual polymer strands and junctions, the gelation process by which strands form networks, the structure of the resulting network, and the dynamics and mechanics of the final material. The purpose is not to serve as a detailed manual for conducting these measurements but rather to unify the underlying principles, point out remaining challenges, and provide a concise overview by which chemists can plan characterization strategies that suit their research objectives. Because polymer networks cannot often be sufficiently characterized with a single method, strategic combinations of multiple techniques are typically required for their molecular characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott P O Danielsen
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Haley K Beech
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Shu Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Bassil M El-Zaatari
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Xiaodi Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | | | | | - Zi Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Patricia N Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Yixin Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - David J Lundberg
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Georgi Stoychev
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Stephen L Craig
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Jeremiah A Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Julia A Kalow
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Bradley D Olsen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Michael Rubinstein
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States.,Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States.,World Primer Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University, Kita 21 Nishi 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0021, Japan
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14
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Advances in microfluidic synthesis and coupling with synchrotron SAXS for continuous production and real-time structural characterization of nano-self-assemblies. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2021; 201:111633. [PMID: 33639513 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2021.111633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic platforms have become highly attractive tools for synthesis of nanoparticles, including lipid nano-self-assemblies, owing to unique features and at least three important aspects inherent to miniaturized micro-devices. Firstly, the fluids flow under controlled conditions in the microchannels, providing well-defined flow profiles and shorter diffusion lengths that play important roles in enhancing the continuous production of lipid and polymer nanoparticles with relatively narrow size distributions. Secondly, various geometries adapted to microfluidic device designs can be utilized for enhancing the colloidal stability of nanoparticles and improving their drug loading. Thirdly, microfluidic devices are usually compatible with in situ characterization methods for real-time monitoring of processes occurring inside the microchannels. This is unlike conventional nanoparticle synthesis methods, where a final solution or withdrawn aliquots are separately analysed. These features inherent to microfluidic devices provide a tool-set allowing not only precise nanoparticle size control, but also real-time analyses for process optimization. In this review, we focus on recent advances and developments in the use of microfluidic devices for synthesis of lipid nanoparticles. We present different designs based on hydrodynamic flow focusing, droplet-based methods and controlled microvortices, and discuss integration of microfluidic platforms with synchrotron small-angle X ray scattering (SAXS) for in situ structural characterization of lipid nano-self-assemblies under continuous flow conditions, along with major challenges and future directions in this research area.
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15
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Murphy RP, Riedel ZW, Nakatani MA, Salipante PF, Weston JS, Hudson SD, Weigandt KM. Capillary RheoSANS: measuring the rheology and nanostructure of complex fluids at high shear rates. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:6285-6293. [PMID: 32602520 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00941e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Complex fluids containing micelles, proteins, polymers and inorganic nanoparticles are often processed and used in high shear environments that can lead to structural changes at the nanoscale. Here, capillary rheometry is combined with small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to simultaneously measure the viscosity and nanostructure of model complex fluids at industrially-relevant high shear rates. Capillary RheoSANS (CRSANS) uses pressure-driven flow through a long, flexible, silica capillary to generate wall shear rates up to 106 s-1 and measure pressure drops up to 500 bar. Sample volumes as small as 2 mL are required, which allow for measurement of supply-limited biological and deuterated materials. The device design, rheology and scattering methodologies, and broad sample capabilities are demonstrated by measuring a variety of model systems including silica nanoparticles, NIST monoclonal antibodies, and surfactant worm-like micelles. For a shear-thinning suspension of worm-like micelles, CRSANS measurements are in good agreement with traditional RheoSANS measurements. Collectively, these techniques provide insight into relationships between nanostructure and steady-shear viscosity over eight orders of magnitude in shear rate. Overall, CRSANS expands the capabilities of traditional RheoSANS instruments toward higher shear rates, enabling in situ structural measurements of soft materials at shear rates relevant to extrusion, coating, lubrication, and spraying applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan P Murphy
- NIST Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Dr, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
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16
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Dicko C, Engberg A, Houston JE, Jackson AJ, Pettersson A, Dalgliesh RM, Akeroyd FA, Venero DA, Rogers SE, Martel A, Porcar L, Rennie AR. NUrF-Optimization of in situ UV-vis and fluorescence and autonomous characterization techniques with small-angle neutron scattering instrumentation. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2020; 91:075111. [PMID: 32752852 DOI: 10.1063/5.0011325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We have designed, built, and validated a (quasi)-simultaneous measurement platform called NUrF, which consists of neutron small-angle scattering, UV-visible, fluorescence, and densitometry techniques. In this contribution, we illustrate the concept and benefits of the NUrF setup combined with high-performance liquid chromatography pumps to automate the preparation and measurement of a mixture series of Brij35 nonionic surfactants with perfluorononanoic acid in the presence of a reporter fluorophore (pyrene).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedric Dicko
- Chemistry Department, Lund University, Lund 221 00, Sweden
| | - Adam Engberg
- Centre for Neutron Scattering, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 20, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Robert M Dalgliesh
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source-STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - Frederick A Akeroyd
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source-STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - Diego Alba Venero
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source-STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Rogers
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source-STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Martel
- Institut Laue Langevin, Grenoble 38000, France
| | | | - Adrian R Rennie
- Centre for Neutron Scattering, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 20, Sweden
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17
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Nagasaka M, Yuzawa H, Takada N, Aoyama M, Rühl E, Kosugi N. Laminar flow in microfluidics investigated by spatially-resolved soft X-ray absorption and infrared spectroscopy. J Chem Phys 2019; 151:114201. [PMID: 31542036 DOI: 10.1063/1.5115191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The application of soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to liquid cells based on microfluidics for chemical state analysis of light elements is much more difficult than hard X-ray absorption since soft X-rays cannot deeply penetrate a microfluidic cell. In this study, we have newly developed a microfluidic cell for spatially resolved XAS, where a 100 nm thick Si3N4 membrane is used for the measurement window to transmit soft X-rays for keeping the microfluidic flow at a width and depth of 50 µm. The π* peak of pyridine near the N K-edge XAS shows characteristic energy shifts near the liquid-liquid interface in a laminar flow of pyridine and water. The distributions of the molar fractions of pyridine and water near the liquid-liquid interface have been determined from the energy shifts of the π* peak probed at different geometric positions, where pyridine is mixed in the water part of the laminar flow and vice versa. The spatial distribution of both species has also been studied by infrared microscopy, using the same microfluidic setup. The present work clearly shows that these spectroscopic techniques are easily applicable to chemical and biological reactions prepared by microfluidics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hayato Yuzawa
- Institute for Molecular Science, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
| | - Noriko Takada
- Institute for Molecular Science, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
| | - Masaki Aoyama
- Institute for Molecular Science, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
| | - Eckart Rühl
- Physikalische Chemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nobuhiro Kosugi
- Institute for Molecular Science, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
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18
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Poiseuille and extensional flow small-angle scattering for developing structure–rheology relationships in soft matter systems. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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19
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Salipante PF, Meek SE, Hudson SD. Flow fluctuations in wormlike micelle fluids. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:9020-9035. [PMID: 30378623 PMCID: PMC6501199 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01649f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
We investigate the unstable flow of wormlike micelle solutions in pressure driven capillary flow, with a focus on the effect of entrance geometry on the fluid fluctuations. The flow is measured at different points in the capillary using particle image velocimetry while simultaneously measuring the pressure drop across the entire capillary. The fluctuations are characterized by rapid flow rate jumps that correspond with a decrease in the pressure drop followed by a longer recovery period. Velocimetry measurements in the entrance region show a transition to unstable flow above a critical flow rate, where large flow circulations are observed in the tapered geometry and localized jets are observed in an abrupt contraction. The transition to this unstable flow is shown to occur at a similar dimensionless extension rate normalized by the micelle relaxation time. A rapid breakdown in micelle alignment is observed in polarized light microscopy at the onset of the flow rate jump, indicating the importance of rapid micelle structural changes on the fluctuations. We characterize the system by analyzing the power spectral densities and develop a dynamical systems model to describe the relationship between pressure and flow rate. These developments provide understanding to control flow fluctuations and motivation for more detailed study of the coupling of fluid microstructure transitions and flow fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul F Salipante
- Polymers and Complex Fluids Group, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
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20
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Probing flow-induced nanostructure of complex fluids in arbitrary 2D flows using a fluidic four-roll mill (FFoRM). Sci Rep 2018; 8:15559. [PMID: 30349018 PMCID: PMC6197203 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33514-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Engineering flow processes to direct the microscopic structure of soft materials represents a growing area of materials research. In situ small-angle neutron scattering under flow (flow-SANS) is an attractive probe of fluid microstructure under simulated processing conditions, but current capabilities require many different sample environments to fully interrogate the deformations a fluid experiences in a realistic processing flow. Inspired by recent advances in microfluidics, we present a fluidic four-roll mill (FFoRM) capable of producing tunable 2D flow fields for in situ SANS measurements, that is intended to allow characterization of complex fluid nanostructure under arbitrary complex flows within a single sample environment. Computational fluid dynamics simulations are used to design a FFoRM that produces spatially homogeneous and sufficiently strong deformation fields. Particle tracking velocimetry experiments are then used to characterize the flows produced in the FFoRM for several classes of non-Newtonian fluids. Finally, a putative FFoRM-SANS workflow is demonstrated and validated through the characterization of flow-induced orientation in a semi-dilute cellulose nanocrystal dispersion under a range of 2D deformations. These novel experiments confirm that, for steady state straining flows at moderate strain rates, the nanocrystals orient along the principal strain-rate axis, in agreement with theories for rigid, rod-like Brownian particles in a homogeneous flow.
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21
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Chen PC, Hennig J. The role of small-angle scattering in structure-based screening applications. Biophys Rev 2018; 10:1295-1310. [PMID: 30306530 PMCID: PMC6233350 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-018-0464-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In many biomolecular interactions, changes in the assembly states and structural conformations of participants can act as a complementary reporter of binding to functional and thermodynamic assays. This structural information is captured by a number of structural biology and biophysical techniques that are viable either as primary screens in small-scale applications or as secondary screens to complement higher throughput methods. In particular, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) reports the average distance distribution between all atoms after orientational averaging. Such information is important when for example investigating conformational changes involved in inhibitory and regulatory mechanisms where binding events do not necessarily cause functional changes. Thus, we summarise here the current and prospective capabilities of SAXS-based screening in the context of other methods that yield structural information. Broad guidelines are also provided to assist readers in preparing screening protocols that are tailored to available X-ray sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Chia Chen
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory Heidelberg, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69126, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Janosch Hennig
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory Heidelberg, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69126, Heidelberg, Germany.
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22
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Mahieu E, Gabel F. Biological small-angle neutron scattering: recent results and development. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2018; 74:715-726. [DOI: 10.1107/s2059798318005016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) has increasingly been used by the structural biology community in recent years to obtain low-resolution information on solubilized biomacromolecular complexes in solution. In combination with deuterium labelling and solvent-contrast variation (H2O/D2O exchange), SANS provides unique information on individual components in large heterogeneous complexes that is perfectly complementary to the structural restraints provided by crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance and electron microscopy. Typical systems studied include multi-protein or protein–DNA/RNA complexes and solubilized membrane proteins. The internal features of these systems are less accessible to the more broadly used small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) technique owing to a limited range of intra-complex and solvent electron-density variation. Here, the progress and developments of biological applications of SANS in the past decade are reviewed. The review covers scientific results from selected biological systems, including protein–protein complexes, protein–RNA/DNA complexes and membrane proteins. Moreover, an overview of recent developments in instruments, sample environment, deuterium labelling and software is presented. Finally, the perspectives for biological SANS in the context of integrated structural biology approaches are discussed.
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23
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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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24
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A Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Environment for In-Situ Observation of Chemical Processes. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7299. [PMID: 29740024 PMCID: PMC5940810 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24718-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A new sample environment for the observation of ongoing chemical reactions is introduced for small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments which enables structural changes to be followed continuously across a wide Q-range in response to changes in the chemical environment. The approach is demonstrated and validated by performing single and multiple potentiometric titrations on an aqueous anionic surfactant solution (oligo-oxyethylene alkylether carboxylic acid in D2O) with addition times varying from 1 s to 2 h. It is shown that the continuous flow set-up offers considerable advantages over classical ‘static’ measurements with regards to sample throughput, compositional precision and the ability to observe fast structural transitions. Finally, the capabilities and ongoing optimisation of the sample environment are discussed with reference to potential applications in the fields of biology, colloidal systems and complex soft matter.
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25
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Adamo M, Poulos AS, G Lopez C, Martel A, Porcar L, Cabral JT. Droplet microfluidic SANS. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:1759-1770. [PMID: 29355865 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm02433a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The coupling of droplet microfluidics and Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) is demonstrated with a range of model systems: isotopic solvent (H2O/D2O) mixtures, surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) solutions and colloidal (silica) suspensions. Several droplet carrier phases are evaluated and fluorinated oil emerges as a suitable fluid with minimal neutron background scattering (commensurate with air), and excellent interfacial properties. The combined effects of flow dispersion and compositional averaging caused by the neutron beam footprint are evaluated in both continuous and droplet flows and an operational window is established. Systematic droplet-SANS dilution measurements of colloidal silica suspensions enable unprecedented quantification of form and structure factors, osmotic compressibility, enhanced by constrained global data fits. Contrast variation measurements with over 100 data points are readily carried out in 10-20 min timescales, and validated for colloidal silica of two sizes, in both continuous and droplet flows. While droplet microfluidics is established as an attractive platform for SANS, the compositional averaging imposed by large (∼1 cm) beam footprints can, under certain circumstances, make single phase, continuous flow a preferable option for low scattering systems. We propose simple guidelines to assess the suitability of either approach based on well-defined system parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Adamo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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26
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Silva BFB. SAXS on a chip: from dynamics of phase transitions to alignment phenomena at interfaces studied with microfluidic devices. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 19:23690-23703. [PMID: 28828415 DOI: 10.1039/c7cp02736b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The field of microfluidics offers attractive possibilities to perform novel experiments that are difficult (or even impossible) to perform using conventional bulk and surface-based methods. Such attractiveness comes from several important aspects inherent to these miniaturized devices. First, the flow of fluids under submillimeter confinement typically leads to a drop of inertial forces, meaning that turbulence is practically suppressed. This leads to predictable and controllable flow profiles, along with well-defined chemical gradients and stress fields that can be used for controlled mixing and actuation on the micro and nanoscale. Secondly, intricate microfluidic device designs can be fabricated using cleanroom standard procedures. Such intricate geometries can take diverse forms, designed by researchers to perform complex tasks, that require exquisite control of flow of several components and gradients, or to mimic real world examples, facilitating the establishment of more realistic models. Thirdly, microfluidic devices are usually compatible with in situ or integrated characterization methods that allow constant real-time monitoring of the processes occurring inside the microchannels. This is very different from typical bulk-based methods, where usually one can only observe the final result, or otherwise, take quick snapshots of the evolving process or take aliquots to be analyzed separately. Altogether, these characteristics inherent to microfluidic devices provide researchers with a set of tools that allow not only exquisite control and manipulation of materials at the micro and nanoscale, but also observation of these effects. In this review, we will focus on the use and prospects of combining microfluidic devices with in situ small-angle X-ray scattering (and related techniques such as small-angle neutron scattering and X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy), and their enormous potential for physical-chemical research, mainly in self-assembly and phase-transitions, and surface characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno F B Silva
- Department of Life Sciences, INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga, Braga 4715-330, Portugal.
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27
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Khaliqi K, Ghazal A, Azmi IDM, Amenitsch H, Mortensen K, Salentinig S, Yaghmur A. Direct monitoring of lipid transfer on exposure of citrem nanoparticles to an ethanol solution containing soybean phospholipids by combining synchrotron SAXS with microfluidics. Analyst 2017; 142:3118-3126. [PMID: 28744529 DOI: 10.1039/c7an00860k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2023]
Abstract
Lipid exchange among citrem nanoparticles and an ethanol micellar solution containing soy phosphatidylcholine was investigated in situ by coupling small angle X-ray scattering with a microfluidic device. The produced soy phosphatidylcholine/citrem nanoparticles have great potential in the development of hemocompatible nanocarriers for drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Khaliqi
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
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28
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Poulos AS, Jones CS, Cabral JT. Dissolution of anionic surfactant mesophases. SOFT MATTER 2017; 13:5332-5340. [PMID: 28702657 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm01096f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Linear and circular solvent penetration experiments are used to study the dissolution of anionic SLE3S surfactant mesophases in water. We show that a lamellar (Lα) phase in contact with water will transit through a series of cubic, hexagonal, and micellar phase bands with sharp interfaces identified from their optical textures. In both linear and circular geometries, the kinetics of front propagation and eventual dissolution are well described by diffusive penetration of water, and a simple model applies to both geometries, with a different effective diffusion coefficient for water Df as the only fitting parameter. Finally, we show a surprising variation of dissolution rates with initial surfactant concentration that can be well explained by assuming that the driving force for solvent penetration is the osmotic pressure difference between neat water and the aqueous fraction of the mesophase that is highly concentrated in surfactant counterions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas S Poulos
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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29
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Adamo M, Poulos AS, Miller RM, Lopez CG, Martel A, Porcar L, Cabral JT. Rapid contrast matching by microfluidic SANS. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 17:1559-1569. [PMID: 28379253 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc00179g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We report a microfluidic approach to perform small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements of contrast variation and matching, extensively employed in soft and biological matter research. We integrate a low scattering background microfluidic mixer and serpentine channel in a SANS beamline to yield a single phase, continuous flow, reconfigurable liquid cell. By contrast with conventional, sequential measurements of discrete (typically 4-6) solutions of varying isotopic solvent composition, our approach continually varies solution composition during SANS acquisition. We experimentally and computationally determine the effects of flow dispersion and neutron beam overillumination of microchannels in terms of the composition resolution and precision. The approach is demonstrated with model systems: H2O/D2O mixtures, a surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS), a triblock copolymer (pluronic F127), and silica nanoparticles (Ludox) in isotopic aqueous mixtures. The system is able to zoom into a composition window to refine contrast matching conditions, and robustly resolve solute structure and form factors by simultaneous fitting of scattering data with continuously varying contrast. We conclude by benchmarking our microflow-SANS with the discrete approach, in terms of volume required, composition resolution and (preparation and measurement) time required, proposing a leap forward in equilibrium, liquid solution phase mapping and contrast variation by SANS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Adamo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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30
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Narayanan T, Wacklin H, Konovalov O, Lund R. Recent applications of synchrotron radiation and neutrons in the study of soft matter. CRYSTALLOGR REV 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/0889311x.2016.1277212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hanna Wacklin
- European Spallation Source ERIC, Lund, Sweden
- Physical Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Reidar Lund
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Blindern, Oslo, Norway
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31
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Ghazal A, Lafleur JP, Mortensen K, Kutter JP, Arleth L, Jensen GV. Recent advances in X-ray compatible microfluidics for applications in soft materials and life sciences. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:4263-4295. [PMID: 27731448 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc00888g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The increasingly narrow and brilliant beams at X-ray facilities reduce the requirements for both sample volume and data acquisition time. This creates new possibilities for the types and number of sample conditions that can be examined but simultaneously increases the demands in terms of sample preparation. Microfluidic-based sample preparation techniques have emerged as elegant alternatives that can be integrated directly into the experimental X-ray setup remedying several shortcomings of more traditional methods. We review the use of microfluidic devices in conjunction with X-ray measurements at synchrotron facilities in the context of 1) mapping large parameter spaces, 2) performing time resolved studies of mixing-induced kinetics, and 3) manipulating/processing samples in ways which are more demanding or not accessible on the macroscale. The review covers the past 15 years and focuses on applications where synchrotron data collection is performed in situ, i.e. directly on the microfluidic platform or on a sample jet from the microfluidic device. Considerations such as the choice of materials and microfluidic designs are addressed. The combination of microfluidic devices and measurements at large scale X-ray facilities is still emerging and far from mature, but it definitely offers an exciting array of new possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aghiad Ghazal
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Josiane P Lafleur
- Dept. of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kell Mortensen
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Jörg P Kutter
- Dept. of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lise Arleth
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Grethe V Jensen
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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32
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Abstract
Development of controlled vacuum is having many applications in the realm of biotechnology, cell transfer, gene therapy, biomedical engineering and other engineering activities involving separation or chemical reactions. Here we show the controlled vacuum generation through a biocompatible, energy efficient, low-cost and flexible miniature device. We have designed and fabricated microfluidic devices from polydimethylsiloxane which are capable of producing vacuum at a highly controlled rate by using water as a motive fluid. Scrupulous removal of infected fluid/body fluid from the internal hemorrhage affected parts during surgical operations, gene manipulation, cell sorting, and other biomedical activities require complete isolation of the delicate cells or tissues adjacent to the targeted location. We demonstrate the potential of the miniature device to obtain controlled evacuation without the use of highly pressurized motive fluids. Water has been used as a motive liquid to eject vapor and liquid at ambient conditions through the microfluidic devices prepared using a low-cost fabrication method. The proposed miniature device may find applications in vacuum generation especially where the controlled rate of evacuation, and limited vacuum generation are of utmost importance in order to precisely protect the cells in the nearby region of the targeted evacuated area.
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Waigh TA. Advances in the microrheology of complex fluids. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2016; 79:074601. [PMID: 27245584 DOI: 10.1088/0034-4885/79/7/074601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
New developments in the microrheology of complex fluids are considered. Firstly the requirements for a simple modern particle tracking microrheology experiment are introduced, the error analysis methods associated with it and the mathematical techniques required to calculate the linear viscoelasticity. Progress in microrheology instrumentation is then described with respect to detectors, light sources, colloidal probes, magnetic tweezers, optical tweezers, diffusing wave spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, elastic- and quasi-elastic scattering techniques, 3D tracking, single molecule methods, modern microscopy methods and microfluidics. New theoretical techniques are also reviewed such as Bayesian analysis, oversampling, inversion techniques, alternative statistical tools for tracks (angular correlations, first passage probabilities, the kurtosis, motor protein step segmentation etc), issues in micro/macro rheological agreement and two particle methodologies. Applications where microrheology has begun to make some impact are also considered including semi-flexible polymers, gels, microorganism biofilms, intracellular methods, high frequency viscoelasticity, comb polymers, active motile fluids, blood clots, colloids, granular materials, polymers, liquid crystals and foods. Two large emergent areas of microrheology, non-linear microrheology and surface microrheology are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Andrew Waigh
- Biological Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd., Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. Photon Science Institute, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd., Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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Poulos AS, Nania M, Lapham P, Miller RM, Smith AJ, Tantawy H, Caragay J, Gummel J, Ces O, Robles ESJ, Cabral JT. Microfluidic SAXS Study of Lamellar and Multilamellar Vesicle Phases of Linear Sodium Alkylbenzenesulfonate Surfactant with Intrinsic Isomeric Distribution. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2016; 32:5852-5861. [PMID: 27196820 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b01240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The structure and flow behavior of a concentrated aqueous solution (45 wt %) of the ubiquitous linear sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate (NaLAS) surfactant is investigated by microfluidic small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) at 70 °C. NaLAS is an intrinsically complex mixture of over 20 surfactant molecules, presenting coexisting micellar (L1) and lamellar (Lα) phases. Novel microfluidic devices were fabricated to ensure pressure and thermal resistance, ability to handle viscous fluids, and low SAXS background. Polarized light optical microscopy showed that the NaLAS solution exhibits wall slip in microchannels, with velocity profiles approaching plug flow. Microfluidic SAXS demonstrated the structural spatial heterogeneity of the system with a characteristic length scale of 50 nL. Using a statistical flow-SAXS analysis, we identified the micellar phase and multiple coexisting lamellar phases with a continuous distribution of d spacings between 37.5 and 39.5 Å. Additionally, we showed that the orientation of NaLAS lamellar phases is strongly affected by a single microfluidic constriction. The bilayers align parallel to the velocity field upon entering a constriction and perpendicular to it upon exiting. On the other hand, multilamellar vesicle phases are not affected under the same flow conditions. Our results demonstrate that despite the compositional complexity inherent to NaLAS, microfluidic SAXS can rigorously elucidate its structure and flow response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul Lapham
- The Procter & Gamble Company, Newcastle Innovation Centre, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE12 9TS, United Kingdom
| | | | - Andrew J Smith
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - Hossam Tantawy
- The Procter & Gamble Company, Newcastle Innovation Centre, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE12 9TS, United Kingdom
| | - Joel Caragay
- The Procter & Gamble Company, Newcastle Innovation Centre, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE12 9TS, United Kingdom
| | - Jérémie Gummel
- The Procter & Gamble Company, Newcastle Innovation Centre, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE12 9TS, United Kingdom
| | | | - Eric S J Robles
- The Procter & Gamble Company, Newcastle Innovation Centre, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE12 9TS, United Kingdom
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Martin HP, Brooks NJ, Seddon JM, Luckham PF, Terrill NJ, Kowalski AJ, Cabral JT. Microfluidic processing of concentrated surfactant mixtures: online SAXS, microscopy and rheology. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:1750-1758. [PMID: 26739043 DOI: 10.1039/c5sm02689j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We investigate the effect of microfluidic flow on the microstructure and dynamics of a model surfactant mixture, combining synchrotron Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), microscopy and rheology. A system comprising a single-chain cationic surfactant, hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (C16TAC), a short-chain alcohol (1-pentanol) and water was selected for the study due to its flow responsiveness and industrial relevance. Model flow fields, including sequential contraction-expansion (extensional) and rotational flows, were investigated and the fluid response in terms of the lamellar d-spacing, orientation and birefringence was monitored in situ, as well as the recovery processes after cessation of flow. Extensional flows are found to result in considerable d-spacing increase (from approx 59 Å to 65 Å). However, under continuous flow, swelling decreases with increasing flow velocity, eventually approaching the equilibrium values at velocities ≃2 cm s(-1). Through individual constrictions we observe the alignment of lamellae along the flow velocity, accompanied by increasing birefringence, followed by an orientation flip whereby lamellae exit perpendicularly to the flow direction. The resulting microstructures are mapped quantitatively onto the flow field in 2D with 200 μm spatial resolution. Rotational flows alone do not result in appreciable changes in lamellar spacing and flow type and magnitude evidently impact the fluid microstructure under flow, as well as upon relaxation. The findings are correlated with rheological properties measured ex situ to provide a mechanistic understanding of the effect of flow imposed by tubular processing units in the phase behavior and performance of a model surfactant system with ubiquitous applications in personal care and coating industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazel P Martin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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