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Rapid Encapsulation of Cell and Polymer Solutions with Bubble‐Triggered Droplet Generation
Author(s) -
Yan Zihao,
Clark Iain C.,
Abate Adam R.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201600297
Subject(s) - microfluidics , bubble , surface tension , dispersity , polymer , materials science , liquid bubble , drop (telecommunication) , nanotechnology , nozzle , viscosity , cell encapsulation , flow focusing , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , composite material , mechanics , self healing hydrogels , thermodynamics , telecommunications , physics , engineering , computer science
The generation of monodisperse droplets with microfluidics is valuable for applications ranging from material science to single cell analysis. However, conventional methods for forming droplets are limited in throughput, particularly when the fluids have low interfacial tension or high viscosity, like biological or polymer fluids. Rapid emulsification of biological and polymer fluids using bubble‐triggered droplet generation is demonstrated. In addition to making droplets over tenfold faster than conventional drop makers with equivalent monodispersity, bubble‐triggering can form droplets smaller than the nozzle, allowing droplets of the desired size to be generated in large channels that are robust against clogging.