A Versatile Microchannel Array Device for Portable and Parallel Droplet Generation

The efficient generation of monodispersed droplets holds great promise for micro-/nanoparticle synthesis and biochemical analysis. However, it remains a challenge to achieve high-throughput generation of monodispersed droplets in a portable and/or parallel manner in nonexpert biomedical laboratories. Herein, a versatile microchannel array (μCA) device is reported that is portable, multifaceted, reliable, and mass-manufacturable, supporting the high-throughput generation of monodispersed droplets in different ways. This device consists of a silicon-based μCA chip based on the step emulsification principle, as well as two matching plastic containers, both of which can be mass-manufactured by traditional microfabrication methods at low material costs. With the μCA device, aqueous solution can be dispersed into emulsion droplets by various modes, such as mechanical pump-based large-scale, handheld syringe-based portable, and gas pump-based highly parallel droplet generation. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that our cost-effective device can be applied for digital polymerase chain reaction analysis, supporting the need for more accessible microfluidic systems. Thus, the present device is expected to have a significant impact on both benchside and bedside applications.