Microfluidic generation of acoustically active nanodroplets.
Thomas D Martz1, David Bardin, Paul S Sheeran
1Curriculum of Applied Science & Engineering - Material Science, University of North Carolina, 310 Taylor Hall, CB 7575, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|April 3, 2012
Summary
A novel microfluidic method creates tiny perfluorocarbon nanodroplets (300-400 nm) for biomedical uses. This technique utilizes controlled pressure and increased fluid viscosity for precise droplet generation.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Perfluorocarbon nanodroplets are crucial for advanced biomedical applications.
- Generating stable, sub-micrometer droplets presents significant technical challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a microfluidic system for producing perfluorocarbon nanodroplets.
- To achieve precise control over nanodroplet size in the sub-micrometer range.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a microfluidic device with pressure-controlled reagent delivery.
- Increased the viscosity of the continuous phase to induce tip-streaming.
- Generated primary emulsions with controlled nanodroplet sizes.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated perfluorocarbon nanodroplets with diameters ranging from 300-400 nm.
- Demonstrated a microfluidic approach capable of producing sub-micrometer droplets.
- Achieved stable nanodroplet generation through advanced tip-streaming.
Conclusions:
- The described microfluidic approach offers a viable method for producing sub-micrometer perfluorocarbon nanodroplets.
- These nanodroplets show potential for various emerging biomedical applications.
- The tip-streaming regime in microfluidics is effective for nanoscale droplet generation.
