Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yue Lu, Xuyun Liu, Xiangdong Liu, Yongping Chen
Summary: The droplet generation process in the microfluidic step emulsification chip with a triangular nozzle (SE-T) was studied through visualization experiments and numerical simulations, compared to a rectangular nozzle (SE-R). Different flow regimes, including dripping, dripping-jetting transition, and jetting, were observed in SE-T, with dripping being the preferred regime for generating monodisperse droplets. The larger space and expanding structure of the triangular nozzle in SE-T enhanced the wall wetting effects, leading to earlier appearance and faster neck shrinking. Consequently, SE-T showed more robust droplet performance, producing droplets with consistent size and higher monodispersity, regardless of variations in surfactant concentrations and dispersed phase flow rates.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhiwei Zhang, Mengyu Fan, Qianqiao Wang, Huaiyu Li, Chunying Zhu, Youguang Ma, Taotao Fu
Summary: This study focuses on the influence of the resultant force caused by the density difference of the two phases on the droplet generation process in a step-emulsification microfluidic device. Threedimensional visualization is used to observe the characteristics of droplet generation. The study proposes a model for droplet generation and obtains a droplet size prediction formula.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Xinjin Ge, Boris Y. Rubinstein, Yifeng He, Frederick N. O. Bruce, Liaonan Li, Alexander M. Leshansky, Zhenzhen Li
Summary: This study introduces a novel microfluidic tri-phasic step-emulsification device that can produce double emulsions with ultrathin shells in a single step, with controlled shell thickness achievable. The proposed theoretical model accurately predicts emulsification regimes and the approximation method shows good agreement with experimental findings, demonstrating the feasibility of this method for producing double emulsions and micro-capsules with controllable thickness.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei Zhan, Ziwei Liu, Shaokun Jiang, Chunying Zhu, Youguang Ma, Taotao Fu
Summary: In this study, the generation processes of bubbles and droplets in a step-emulsification microfluidic device are compared to show the similarities and differences in the emulsification process. By changing the placement of the microdevice, the effects of buoyancy and gravity on the generation of bubbles and droplets are introduced, and the feedback mechanism of the bubble layer and the effect of droplet accumulation on the emulsification process are clarified.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ziwei Liu, Xiyang Liu, Shaokun Jiang, Chunying Zhu, Youguang Ma, Taotao Fu
Summary: This study investigated the application of Y step emulsification technology in microfluidic devices, focusing on the influences of microdevice structures and fluid physical properties on droplet generation. Important factors affecting emulsion flux were identified, and a prediction equation for droplet size was proposed based on inertial and viscous forces of the dispersed phase.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yazhi Zheng, Hanxu Chen, Xiang Lin, Minli Li, Yuanjin Zhao, Luoran Shang
Summary: Drug microcarriers were prepared using a microfluidic step emulsification method, which allows for high-throughput production of droplets and hydrogel microparticles. The microparticles encapsulated basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and incorporated black phosphorus (BP) for controllable release via near-infrared (NIR) stimulation. These microparticles serve as drug carriers to induce angiogenesis and collagen deposition, promoting wound repair. These findings suggest that the step emulsification technique has the potential to provide scalable production of drug microcarriers for wound healing and tissue regeneration.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Katherine S. Elvira, Fabrice Gielen, Scott S. H. Tsai, Adrian M. Nightingale
Summary: Droplet-based systems have become a compelling tool in microbiological and (bio)chemical science. This article summarizes the materials and fabrication techniques required to make microfluidic devices that deliver controlled uniform droplet flow, and discusses the future development and challenges in this field.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Han Shan, Xin Sun, Xin Liu, Qi Sun, Yao He, Ziyan Chen, Qibo Lin, Zixi Jiang, Xiang Chen, Zeyu Chen, Shuang Zhao
Summary: This study developed a facile and scalable strategy for one-step construction of targeted liposomes using a versatile microfluidic mixing device (MMD). The method was validated by successfully constructing a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)-targeting indocyanine green (ICG)-liposome. The technique showed versatility and efficiency in preparing multifunctional targeted liposomal nanoplatforms for molecular imaging and disease theranostics.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiaoyuan Lian, Jiayi Wu, Shiying Wu, Wen Yu, Pengfei Wang, Li Liu, Qiang Zuo
Summary: In this study, the effects of viscosities on co-flowing step emulsification were investigated using the VOF-based CFD simulation method. The continuous phase viscosity was found to significantly influence droplet diameter and generation regime, while the increase in dispersed phase viscosity almost did not affect droplet diameter.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Gangyin Luo, Ying Zhang, Shun Wang, Xinbei Lv, Tianhang Yang, Jinxian Wang
Summary: This study developed an integrated microfluidic step emulsification device with wide-range droplet generation capability, small device dimensions, convenient fabrication strategy, low contamination, and high robustness. The uniformity of droplet generation was increased by proposing a tree-shaped droplet generation nozzle distribution design and numerically simulating the flow field. The experimental results showed that incubation and hydrophobic reagent treatment allowed for the generation of stable and uniform droplets using multiplex nozzles.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ali Lashkaripour, Christopher Rodriguez, Noushin Mehdipour, Rizki Mardian, David McIntyre, Luis Ortiz, Joshua Campbell, Douglas Densmore
Summary: Microfluidic devices based on droplet generation show great potential in various life science applications, but the lack of predictive understanding makes the design process iterative and resource-intensive. The DAFD tool utilizes machine learning algorithms to predict performance and automate the design of flow-focusing droplet generators, reducing the need for design iterations.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
JuYeon Kim, Hyeongjin Lee, Eun-Ju Jin, Yunju Jo, Baeki E. Kang, Dongryeol Ryu, GeunHyung Kim
Summary: By using a microfluidic device with cell-laden methacrylated gelatin (GelMa) bioink and alginate as matrix hydrogel, a functional hybrid structure laden with cell-aggregated microbeads is fabricated to enhance cell-to-cell interactions. This approach improves cellular activities and myogenesis in comparison to conventional bioprinted structures, demonstrating a promising method for tissue engineering applications.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Maximilian Fahland, Rohit Mishra
Summary: The generation of droplets in microfluidic systems is widely used in chemical and biological applications. Both actively and passively driven systems are employed for two-phase immiscible micro-droplet formation. In this study, a CFD method was used to model and simulate step-emulsification of water-in-oil on a centrifugal microfluidics platform. The effects of contact angles, supply channel geometry, and capillary number on droplet formation were investigated using the numerical model and compared to experimental data.
MICROFLUIDICS AND NANOFLUIDICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhiwei Zhang, Zhongdong Wang, Fengrui Bao, Mengyu Fan, Shaokun Jiang, Chunying Zhu, Youguang Ma, Taotao Fu
Summary: This study investigates the bubble generation in a step-emulsification microdevice using a two-angle photography method, and establishes a model for predicting bubble size. It is found that the bubble generation mechanism is controlled by different factors depending on the capillary number, and the dynamic contact angle and hydrodynamic feedback play important roles in bubble formation.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Sreekant Damodara, Jaskirat Arora, Dhruva J. Dwivedi, Patricia C. Liaw, Alison E. Fox-Robichaud, P. Ravi Selvaganapathy
Summary: This study developed a low-cost, single-step method for detecting protein C in blood plasma and demonstrated its potential application in sepsis prognosis.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Arijit Ghosh, Debayan Dasgupta, Malay Pal, Konstantin I. Morozov, Alexander M. Leshansky, Ambarish Ghosh
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2018)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Konstantin I. Morozov, Alexander M. Leshansky
Article
Mechanics
I. Chakraborty, J. Ricouvier, P. Yazhgur, P. Tabeling, A. M. Leshansky
Article
Physics, Applied
Kevin-Joshua Cohen, Boris Y. Rubinstein, Oded Kenneth, Alexander M. Leshansky
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2019)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Itzhak Fouxon, Boris Rubinstein, Zhouyang Ge, Luca Brandt, Alexander Leshansky
PHYSICAL REVIEW FLUIDS
(2020)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Itzhak Fouxon, Boris Rubinstein, Oleg Weinstein, Alexander Leshansky
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2020)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Boris Y. Rubinstein, Dana Zusmanovich, Zhenzhen Li, Alexander M. Leshansky
Summary: This paper investigates biphasic co-flow in a Hele-Shaw cell with abrupt changes in channel width, deriving a third-order nonlinear differential equation for the interface shape. Theoretical and experimental results show good agreement, with significant changes in capillary ridges upstream from a sudden expansion.
PHYSICAL REVIEW FLUIDS
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
Indrajit Chakraborty, Mykyta V. Chubynsky, James E. Sprittles
Summary: This study utilizes a computational model to simulate the Leidenfrost effect and investigates the characteristics of droplet levitation and vapor flow under different parameters. By comparing with experimental results, the validity of the theoretical model is confirmed, and possible explanations for the discrepancies between experiments and the model are provided. The research also reveals the features of the droplet's bottom surface and the influence of droplet size on the thickness of the vapor layer, as well as predictions on the vapor chimney instability for large droplets.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Xinjin Ge, Boris Y. Rubinstein, Yifeng He, Frederick N. O. Bruce, Liaonan Li, Alexander M. Leshansky, Zhenzhen Li
Summary: This study introduces a novel microfluidic tri-phasic step-emulsification device that can produce double emulsions with ultrathin shells in a single step, with controlled shell thickness achievable. The proposed theoretical model accurately predicts emulsification regimes and the approximation method shows good agreement with experimental findings, demonstrating the feasibility of this method for producing double emulsions and micro-capsules with controllable thickness.
Article
Robotics
Yoni Mirzae, Boris Y. Rubinstein, Konstantin I. Morozov, Alexander M. Leshansky
FRONTIERS IN ROBOTICS AND AI
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Konstantin Morozov, Alexander M. Leshansky
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2020)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Indrajit Chakraborty
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Itzhak Fouxon, Alexander Leshansky
Article
Robotics
Yoni Mirzae, Oles Dubrovski, Oded Kenneth, Konstantin Morozov, Alexander M. Leshansky
