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Updated: Dec 9, 2025
08:02
Fabricating High-viscosity Droplets using Microfluidic Capillary Device with Phase-inversion Co-flow Structure
Published on: April 17, 2018
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Aerodynamically assisted jet processing of viscous single- and multi-phase media
S Arumuganathar1, S N Jayasinghe1, N Suter2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, United KingdomWC1E 7JE. s.jayasinghe@ucl.ac.uk.
Soft Matter
|September 9, 2020
Summary
Aerodynamically assisted jetting successfully processes high-viscosity nanosuspensions, creating microscale droplets and continuous threads. This method opens new avenues for micro- and nanofabrication applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Fluid Dynamics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- High-viscosity media, particularly nanosuspensions, present challenges for conventional jet-processing techniques.
- Aerodynamically assisted jetting has not been previously applied to particulate-based high-viscosity nanosuspensions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a robust method for jet-processing viscous single- and multi-phase media, specifically a nanosuspension.
- To investigate the feasibility of aerodynamically assisted jetting for high-viscosity nanosuspensions.
- To establish an operational guide for droplet and thread generation using this technique.
Main Methods:
- Utilized aerodynamically assisted jetting to process a nanosuspension containing 5 nm SiO particles at ~10 wt%.
- Systematically varied applied pressure and flow rate to map operational regimes.
- Analyzed generated structures (droplets and threads) using microscopy, including transmission electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated successful jetting and fragmentation of the nanosuspension into droplets.
- Achieved the drawing of continuous micrometer-range threads from the particulate suspensions.
- Identified specific pressure-flow rate parameters corresponding to droplet and thread generation.
Conclusions:
- Aerodynamically assisted jetting is a viable and robust method for processing high-viscosity nanosuspensions.
- The study provides a foundational operational map for controlling jetting outcomes (droplets vs. threads).
- This technique is a significant addition to the field of micro- and nanofabrication.
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