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Microdroplet formation in rounded flow-focusing junctions
Microfluidics and Nanofluidics
  • Shelly Gulati, University of the Pacific
  • Kalpana Vijayakumar, Imperial College London
  • Wilson W. Good, University of the Pacific
  • Warren L. Tamayo, University of the Pacific
  • Akhil R. Patel, University of the Pacific
  • Xize Niu, University of Southampton
Department
Bioengineering
Document Type
Article
DOI
10.1007/s10404-015-1680-3
Publication Date
1-5-2016
Disciplines
Abstract

Herein we report microfluidic droplet formation in flow-focusing geometries possessing varying degrees of rounding. Rounding is incorporated in all four corners (symmetric) or only in the two exit corners (asymmetric). The ratios of the radius of curvature, R, to channel width, w, are varied where R/w = 0, 0.5 and 1. In all cases, monodisperse droplets are produced, with the largest droplets being produced at the junctions with the largest rounding. Junctions without rounding are shown to produce droplets at higher frequencies than those with rounding. Droplet pinch-off position is found to be dependent on both geometry and volumetric flow rates; the location shifts toward the interior of the rounded junctions with increasing oil-to-water flow rate ratios. Accordingly, we find that rounding within microfluidic flow-focusing junctions strongly influences droplet formation. Junction rounding may be deliberate due to the selected fabrication method or occur as an unintended result of microfabrication processes not held to strict tolerances. Indeed, understanding droplet characteristics for those formed in such structures is critical for microfluidic applications where droplet volume or reagent mass must be well controlled. Thus, rounding can be a valuable design parameter when tuning the size and production frequency for emulsion collection or ensuing downstream operations such as chemical reactions.

Citation Information
Shelly Gulati, Kalpana Vijayakumar, Wilson W. Good, Warren L. Tamayo, et al.. "Microdroplet formation in rounded flow-focusing junctions" Microfluidics and Nanofluidics Vol. 20 Iss. 2 (2016) p. 1 - 9 ISSN: 1613-4982
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/shelly-gulati/65/