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Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Combining Microfluidics and Microrheology to Determine Rheological Properties of Soft Matter during Repeated Phase Transitions
Published on: April 19, 2018
Rheology: how to characterize and to predict the evolution of W/O/W multiple emulsions
I Terrisse1, M Seiller, A Rabaron
1UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, 5 rue Jean Baptiste Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France.
This study analyzed the evolution of three water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions (ME) using thermal and rheological methods. Results showed distinct behaviors including destructuration, phase inversion, and stability, aiding in predicting emulsion performance.
Area of Science:
- Colloid and Surface Science
- Materials Science
- Rheology
Background:
- Multiple emulsions (ME) are complex systems with applications in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
- Understanding ME stability and evolution is crucial for product development and shelf-life prediction.
- Traditional analyses offer limited insight into the dynamic behavior of ME.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the evolution of three distinct water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) multiple emulsions.
- To establish a comprehensive characterization method for multiple emulsions.
- To predict the behavior of multiple emulsions under simulated aging conditions.
Main Methods:
- Elaboration and control of W/O/W multiple emulsions.
- Classification of emulsions based on thermal stability.
- Rheological oscillatory and flow analyses for detailed characterization and behavior prediction.
Main Results:
- Identified three distinct evolutionary pathways for the multiple emulsions: destructuration, phase inversion, and stability.
- Developed an 'identity card' for each multiple emulsion using rheological data.
- Simulated aging by shear to forecast emulsion behavior.
Conclusions:
- Rheological analyses provide a powerful tool for characterizing and predicting the behavior of multiple emulsions.
- The study successfully differentiated the stability and evolution patterns of three distinct W/O/W ME formulations.
- This approach aids in optimizing ME formulation and ensuring product longevity.
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