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Continuous Production of Lipid Nanoparticles by Ultrasound‐Assisted Microfluidic Antisolvent Precipitation
Author(s) -
Bolze Holger,
Riewe Juliane,
Bunjes Heike,
Dietzel Andreas,
Burg Thomas P.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.202100149
Subject(s) - microfluidics , sonication , precipitation , nanoparticle , materials science , nanotechnology , reliability (semiconductor) , clogging , fouling , chemical engineering , process engineering , chromatography , chemistry , membrane , engineering , power (physics) , physics , archaeology , quantum mechanics , meteorology , history , biochemistry
Microfluidic processes are of interest for the production of pharmaceutical nanoparticles due to the uniform characteristics attainable by such devices. However, precipitation processes in microfluidic systems incur a high risk of fouling, which compromises their reliability for continuous operation. A robust ultrasound‐assisted process is established for the precipitation of lipid nanoparticles in a microfluidic mixer. The results indicate that nanoparticles can be produced over several hours without clogging. An analysis of the products reveals a small number of micron‐sized particles, but these did not disturb the process. Thus, in‐process ultrasonication is effective at improving the reliability of microfluidic precipitation and preventing buildup of precipitates in the channels.