Abstract
We report a novel modular plug-and-play microfluidic device for versatile emulsion generation, which consists of three parts: a top module for the dispersed phase supply, a glass capillary for emulsion creation and a bottom module for the continuous phase supply. By combining different modules and tapered glass capillaries, single emulsions, Janus emulsions and double emulsions have been successfully produced. The hybrid strategy allows us to produce smaller droplets through the tapered glass nozzles compared to current fully 3D-printed devices. On the other hand, it provides a simple and plug-and-play assembly manner compared to conventional microfluidic devices. Screw-thread plus gasket strategy has been proved to successfully seal the device and separate different liquid phases. Finally, magnetically responsive microparticles are synthesized based on the droplet templates produced in our device, which can be potentially applied in sensor and actuator fields.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 422-428 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Sensors and Actuators A: Physical |
| Volume | 280 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 15 2018 |
Bibliographical note
KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01Acknowledgements: Research reported in this publication was supported by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). We thank Professor Sigurdur Thoroddsen for his valuable advice on fluid dynamics part and offering experimental devices. The authors also thank Ulrich Buttner for his valuable advice on device fabrication.