Droplet microfluidic networks as hybrid dynamical systems: Inlet spacing optimization for sorting of drops

Abstract

The ability to manipulate drops is essential for integrating multiple processes in droplet microfluidics‐based lab‐on‐a‐chip devices. Examples of such droplet manipulation operations include sorting, sequencing, synchronization, and so forth. Microfluidic networks are promising platforms for performing these functionalities. This work explores the design of entry times of drops, a set of operating parameters, in a microfluidic network to achieve a desired functionality. Here, we specifically focus on sorting of drops at the exit of the network. For the first time, droplet microfluidic networks are perceived as hybrid dynamical systems. This viewpoint allows us to develop a methodology for designing the entry times of drops in microfluidic networks to achieve desired functionalities through the notion of constraint satisfaction. The solution to this constraint satisfaction problem provides entry times that result in the desired functionality. The proposed method allows one to establish the existence/nonexistence of entry time solutions for a desired functionality.

Systems Engineering Approach to Modeling and Analysis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Part II: Extension for Variable Metabolic Rates

“…Systems engineering toolshighly regarded for the unprecedented growth they have produced in manufacturing and logisticshave recently catalyzed major advancements in the healthcare industry. − Through synchronizing and exploiting the information available, these mathematical methods have found immense applications in drug discovery and development, therapeutic planning, diagnostics, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and patient management. ,− Furthermore, they are being increasingly employed to generate novel insights into the nature and function of biological systemsidentifying reaction and signaling pathways in living cells, deciphering the interactions between organs and organ systems, homeostasis within the organism, or sometimes even multiscale biological phenomena. − In this work, combining a systems engineering model of the human cardiorespiratory system with formal methods for sensitivity analysis and parameter estimation, we seek to improve our understanding of a widely prevalent condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).…”

Interfacial confined droplet on sessile platform for crystal screening and harvest

“…By virtue of the advantage of microliter‐sized droplet, Misyura 5 and Bakshi et al 6 explored the crystallization kinetics of salt solution droplet under diverse temperatures and concentrations, which revealed the droplet evaporation and crystallization behavior. Besides, Xu et al 7 and Rengaswamy et al 8 optimized the droplet generation in microchannel by regulating the size distribution and inlet spacing of droplets, demonstrating the superiority of droplet microfluidic on continuous preparation. Generally, the regulation of droplet crystallization was focused on the modulation of substrate hydrophilicity, 9 substrate structure, 10 substrate temperature, 11 and air relative humidity, 12 etc.…”