On-Demand Droplet Merging with an AC Electric Field for Multiple-Volume Droplet Generation

Teo, Adrian J. T.; Tan, Say Hwa; Nguyen, Nam‐Trung

doi:10.1021/acs.analchem.9b04219

Cited by 23 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Various flow regimes were observed in this study and systematically plotted as functions of the flow rate ratio and continuous phase capillary number in Fig. 2 (Teo et al 2019). Van Loo et al performed a parametric sweep of a symmetric cross junction and the results are plotted in Fig.…”

Section: Droplet Generation In Hydrophobic Channelsmentioning

confidence: 81%

Effect of surface coating on droplet generation in flow-focusing microchannels

Palogan

Kumar

Bhattacharya

2020

Microfluid Nanofluid

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Different stages of droplet generation are reported in this paper with two immiscible liquids, silicone oil and deionized water, inside a flow-focusing device for hydrophobic and hydrophilic channel walls. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic channels of identical geometry are compared. In this first set of experiments, the efficacy of the hydrophobic channel is compared with a square cross junction for a continuous oil phase with low viscosity. In the hydrophobic case, the flow-focusing design with a diverging outlet delays jetting and allows for the use of higher flow rate ratios in the squeezing regime. For the hydrophilic case, stable and well-structured droplet and slug generation can be achieved using oil and water, resulting in an inverse emulsion. However, the morphology of the fluid interface displays an unusual behavior compared to that of a hydrophobic microchannel. The droplet generation in the hydrophilic channel occurs following the formation of single and double T-junctions, a phenomenon hitherto unreported in the literature. The results demonstrate that the uncoated hydrophobic channels generate monodisperse droplets at a higher capillary number when compared to the hydrophilic channels.

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Section: Droplet Generation In Hydrophobic Channelsmentioning

confidence: 81%

Effect of surface coating on droplet generation in flow-focusing microchannels

Palogan

Kumar

Bhattacharya

2020

Microfluid Nanofluid

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“…Traditional single-cell aqueous-in-oil droplets are severely limited for applications that involve static droplet incubation or culturing prior to assaying of encapsulated cells. The limitations stem from difficulties in controlled aqueous reagent transfer to the formed droplet, which typically requires advanced droplet merging [312] techniques or picoinjections. [313] Liquid droplets are also susceptible to coalescence during long-term experiments that expose the droplet to temperature fluctuations and shear.…”

Section: Future Directions In Single-cell Microgel Diagnosticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Single‐Cell Microgels for Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Dubay

Urban

Darling

2021

Adv Funct Materials

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Cell encapsulation within hydrogel droplets is transforming what is feasible in multiple fields of biomedical science such as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, in vitro modeling, and cell-based therapies. Recent advances have allowed researchers to miniaturize material encapsulation complexes down to single-cell scales, where each complex, termed a singlecell microgel, contains only one cell surrounded by a hydrogel matrix while remaining <100 μm in size. With this achievement, studies requiring singlecell resolution are now possible, similar to those done using liquid droplet encapsulation. Of particular note, applications involving long-term in vitro cultures, modular bioinks, high-throughput screenings, and formation of 3D cellular microenvironments can be tuned independently to suit the needs of individual cells and experimental goals. In this progress report, an overview of established materials and techniques used to fabricate single-cell microgels, as well as insight into potential alternatives is provided. This focused review is concluded by discussing applications that have already benefited from single-cell microgel technologies, as well as prospective applications on the cusp of achieving important new capabilities.

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“…26,33 Applying an external electric field, the surface of the adjacent droplets is opened by the electric field force, which causes the fusion of the adjacent droplets. 27,34 However, for the above methods, the fusion method relies on the flow channel that requires strict flow channel design parameters to meet the condition of droplet fusion, and the applicable range for the fusion droplet size and flexibility is limited. The magnetic droplet fusion method is only suitable for magnetic droplets, and the scope of application is limited.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acoustics-Controlled Microdroplet and Microbubble Fusion and Its Application in the Synthesis of Hydrogel Microspheres

Jin

Cao

et al. 2022

Langmuir

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Droplet fusion technology is a key technology for many droplet-based biochemical medical applications. By integrating a symmetrical flow channel structure, we demonstrate an acoustics-controlled fusion method of microdroplets using surface acoustic waves. Different kinds of microdroplets can be staggered and ordered in the symmetrical flow channel, proving the good arrangement effect of the microfluidic chip. This method can realize not only the effective fusion of microbubbles but also the effective fusion of microdroplets of different sizes without any modification. Further, we investigate the influence of the input frequency and peak-to-peak value of the driving voltage on microdroplets fusion, giving the effective fusion parameter conditions of microdroplets. Finally, this method is successfully used in the preparation of hydrogel microspheres, offering a new platform for the synthesis of hydrogel microspheres.

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On-Demand Droplet Merging with an AC Electric Field for Multiple-Volume Droplet Generation

Cited by 23 publications

References 55 publications

Effect of surface coating on droplet generation in flow-focusing microchannels

Effect of surface coating on droplet generation in flow-focusing microchannels

Single‐Cell Microgels for Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Acoustics-Controlled Microdroplet and Microbubble Fusion and Its Application in the Synthesis of Hydrogel Microspheres

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