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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
08:58
Double Emulsion Generation Using a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Co-axial Flow Focus Device
Published on: December 25, 2015
Equilibrium and nonequilibrium states in microfluidic double emulsions
Nicolas Pannacci1, Henrik Bruus, Denis Bartolo
1Laboratoire MMN, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/ESPCI, 10 Rue Vauquelin, Paris, France.
Physical Review Letters
|November 13, 2008
Summary
We explored double droplet formation in microfluidics, finding that morphologies minimize interfacial energy and can persist. This physics enables the creation of novel particle shapes.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Materials science
- Physical chemistry
Background:
- Microfluidic systems offer precise control over fluid interfaces.
- Understanding droplet formation is crucial for materials synthesis and drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physics governing the formation of double droplets in microfluidic systems.
- To analyze the resulting droplet morphologies and their stability.
- To explore the potential for synthesizing novel particle structures.
Main Methods:
- Experimental studies using microfluidic devices.
- Theoretical modeling to understand interfacial energy minimization.
- Analysis of droplet morphologies (complete, partial, and nonengulfing).
Main Results:
- Droplet morphologies at late times are dictated by interfacial energy minimization.
- Nonequilibrium morphologies can exhibit surprisingly long lifetimes.
- Microfluidic formation physics allows for the creation of particles with unprecedented morphologies.
Conclusions:
- The physics of double droplet formation in microfluidics is well-defined by interfacial energy.
- Stable, non-equilibrium structures can be formed and maintained.
- Microfluidics provides a versatile platform for synthesizing particles with novel morphologies.
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