Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Enzyme Catalysis Causes Fluid Flow, Motility, and Directional Transport on Supported Lipid Bilayers.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2024
Same author

Sequential heterologous immunization with COVID-19 vaccines induces broader neutralizing responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants in comparison with homologous boosters.

Vaccine·2023
Same author

[Analysis for Key Points of Registration Applications and Difficulties of Process Control of 3D Printed Customized Dentures].

Zhongguo yi liao qi xie za zhi = Chinese journal of medical instrumentation·2023
Same author

Understanding Microstructural Development of Perovskite Crystallization for High Performance Solar Cells.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2023
Same author

In Situ Fabrication of CdS/Cd(OH)<sub>2</sub> for Effective Visible Light-Driven Photocatalysis.

Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)·2023
Same author

A novel hepatitis B virus capsid assembly modulator QL-007 inhibits HBV replication and infection through altering capsid assembly.

Antiviral research·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Polyfunctionality and Heterogeneity in Immune Responses
09:43

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Polyfunctionality and Heterogeneity in Immune Responses

Published on: March 8, 2024

2.6K

Droplet microfluidics with a nanoemulsion continuous phase.

Tonghan Gu1, Eunice W Q Yeap2, Ambika Somasundar2

  • 1Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. tahatton@mit.edu.

Lab on a Chip
|June 17, 2016
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces a new microfluidic method using nanoemulsions to create uniform micro-droplets for controlled chemical reactions and material synthesis, expanding droplet-based microfluidics applications.

More Related Videos

Fabricating High-viscosity Droplets using Microfluidic Capillary Device with Phase-inversion Co-flow Structure
08:02

Fabricating High-viscosity Droplets using Microfluidic Capillary Device with Phase-inversion Co-flow Structure

Published on: April 17, 2018

11.1K
High Throughput Single-cell and Multiple-cell Micro-encapsulation
16:19

High Throughput Single-cell and Multiple-cell Micro-encapsulation

Published on: June 15, 2012

19.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Polyfunctionality and Heterogeneity in Immune Responses
09:43

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Polyfunctionality and Heterogeneity in Immune Responses

Published on: March 8, 2024

2.6K
Fabricating High-viscosity Droplets using Microfluidic Capillary Device with Phase-inversion Co-flow Structure
08:02

Fabricating High-viscosity Droplets using Microfluidic Capillary Device with Phase-inversion Co-flow Structure

Published on: April 17, 2018

11.1K
High Throughput Single-cell and Multiple-cell Micro-encapsulation
16:19

High Throughput Single-cell and Multiple-cell Micro-encapsulation

Published on: June 15, 2012

19.3K

Area of Science:

  • Microfluidics
  • Colloidal science
  • Materials synthesis

Background:

  • Conventional microfluidic systems often use simple oils or solvents as the continuous phase.
  • Achieving active chemical interactions within micro-droplets can be challenging.
  • Controlling micro-droplet properties for specific applications requires versatile generation methods.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a novel, generalizable microfluidic method for generating uniform aqueous micro-droplets using a water-in-oil nanoemulsion as the continuous phase.
  • To investigate the droplet generation mechanism in this nanoemulsion system and compare it with conventional methods.
  • To develop methods for active online chemical interaction between continuous and dispersed phases within micro-droplets.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a capillary-based microfluidic system with a water-in-oil nanoemulsion as the continuous phase.
  • Studied droplet generation mechanisms and compared them to systems using simple oil/solvent continuous phases.
  • Implemented demulsifying chemicals and heat treatment for active online chemical interactions.
  • Demonstrated hydrogel (alginate) micro-bead fabrication using the developed system.

Main Results:

  • Achieved uniform aqueous micro-droplet generation using a nanoemulsion continuous phase.
  • Established methods for enabling 'permeable' micro-reactor walls for chemical interactions.
  • Successfully fabricated uniform alginate micro-beads with controlled size and swelling properties.
  • Demonstrated the system's versatility for advanced materials synthesis and droplet-based screening.

Conclusions:

  • The novel nanoemulsion-based microfluidic method offers a generalizable approach to micro-droplet generation.
  • The developed techniques allow for controlled chemical interactions within micro-droplets, enabling micro-reactor functionalities.
  • This work expands the capabilities of droplet-based microfluidics for applications in materials science and diagnostics.