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Double Emulsion Generation Using a Polydimethylsiloxane PDMS Co-axial Flow Focus Device
Published on: December 25, 2015
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Rapid, Simple, and Inexpensive Spatial Patterning of Wettability in Microfluidic Devices for Double Emulsion
Hangrui Liu1,2, James A Piper1,2, Ming Li3,4
1ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, Macquarie University, Balaclava Road, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia.
Analytical Chemistry
|July 29, 2021
Summary
A novel microfluidic method enables rapid, inexpensive production of uniform double emulsions (DEs). This technique precisely controls DE properties for applications in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, overcoming limitations of traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics and Emulsion Technology
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Biotechnology and Biomedical Applications
Background:
- Water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) double emulsions (DEs) are versatile platforms for encapsulation across diverse scientific fields.
- Conventional DE generation methods often yield polydisperse emulsions, limiting their utility in precise applications.
- Existing microfluidic techniques for monodisperse DEs typically involve complex fabrication and specialized equipment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple, rapid, and cost-effective method for generating monodisperse w/o/w double emulsions (DEs) using microfluidics.
- To enable precise control over DE characteristics such as size, shell thickness, and inner core number.
- To demonstrate the utility of these monodisperse DEs in biomaterial synthesis and biological applications.
Main Methods:
- Spatial wettability patterning in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic devices via localized corona-plasma treatment.
- Utilizing a custom-designed corona resistance microchannel to confine plasma treatment to specific zones.
- Characterization of PDMS surface properties and DE generation under varying treatment conditions and flow rates.
Main Results:
- Successful continuous generation of monodisperse w/o/w double emulsions (DEs) using the patterned wettability microfluidic device.
- Demonstrated precise control over DE size, shell thickness, and inner core number by adjusting phase flow rate ratios.
- Achieved one-step generation of gelatin microgels using DEs as templates and demonstrated yeast cell encapsulation and growth via flow cytometry.
Conclusions:
- The proposed corona-plasma treatment method offers a facile and inexpensive approach to create wettability-patterned microfluidic devices for monodisperse DE generation.
- This technique overcomes limitations of conventional methods, enabling controlled DE production for advanced applications.
- The developed microfluidic platform holds significant potential for creating complex wettability patterns and advancing microencapsulation technologies.
