Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Boxin Deng, Karin Schroen, Maartje Steegmans, Jolet de Ruiter
Summary: The size and properties of droplets, bubbles, emulsions, and foams are greatly influenced by dynamic interfacial tension (gamma(d)). However, this parameter is often difficult to measure due to the short time scales involved in droplet and bubble formation. To overcome this challenge, researchers have developed a microfluidic tensiometer that can measure gamma(d) by monitoring the formation time of droplets and bubbles. This tensiometer operates based on the principle of pressure balance and provides a simple and robust method to measure dynamic interfacial tension at relevant time scales.
Article
Mechanics
Gemma Houston, Paolo Capobianchi, Monica S. N. Oliveira
Summary: In this study, the flow of miscible viscous fluid systems through microfluidic flow focusing devices was investigated using experiments and numerical simulations. The results showed that the characteristics of the central focused outlet stream were influenced by the fluid viscosity ratio and the inlet velocity ratio. It was also observed that the width of the central focused outlet stream decreased with both the velocity ratio and the viscosity ratio. Additionally, the study provided further insight into the curved interface in parallel flow systems with high viscosity contrasts, highlighting the influence of inlet viscosity ratio and microchannel aspect ratio on the interface curvature.
Article
Mechanics
Nishat Anjum, Siva A. Vanapalli
Summary: This study investigates the effect of emulsifiers on the dripping-to-jetting transition and droplet size scaling in a co-flow microcapillary device. The results show that the type and concentration of emulsifiers have an impact on the transition process and droplet size. This understanding contributes to the knowledge of emulsifiers in microfluidic emulsification.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peyman Dastyar, Moloud Sadat Salehi, Bahar Firoozabadi, Hossein Afshin
Summary: The experimental study focused on the deformation and detachment of drops in aqueous CMC solutions containing different concentrations of SDS. Results showed that an increase in SDS concentration led to longer drop detachment length and slower thinning process at constant low CMC concentration. At higher CMC concentrations, the drop limiting length reached a maximum due to the disintegration of molecular structures as SDS concentration exceeded the critical level. Additionally, drop formation time decreased with higher SDS concentration, attributed to the reduction in dynamic interfacial tension.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Keshvad Shahrivar, Francesco Del Giudice
Summary: The encapsulation efficiency of particles in microfluidic devices can be improved by exploiting the phenomenon of particle train formation in viscoelastic liquids, allowing particles to approach the encapsulation area with a constant frequency synchronized to droplet formation. A simplified expression based on experimental results was developed to guide optimal design of microfluidic encapsulation systems. Additionally, experimental evidence of viscoelastic co-encapsulation of particles from different streams was reported for the first time.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Artem Bezrukov, Yury Galyametdinov
Summary: In this study, a continuous microfluidic reaction device was developed to selectively activate and switch chemical signals between multiple outputs. A numerical model was used to predict reaction conditions and optimize the device geometry and operation modes.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Max J. Mannel, Elif Baysak, Julian Thiele
Summary: Droplet microfluidics has revolutionized high-throughput screening, directed evolution, single-cell sequencing, and material design. Traditional fabrication techniques have drawbacks, but high-resolution additive manufacturing like PμSL offers a promising solution. PμSL simplifies device fabrication, provides access to 3D geometries, is cost-effective, and enables multimaterial processing.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jacek Rozanski, Sylwia Rozanska, Piotr Tomasz Mitkowski, Waldemar Szaferski, Patrycja Wagner, Adrianna Frankiewicz
Summary: This study presents results of rheological tests and pressure drop measurements during the flow of aqueous solutions of a mixture of drag reducing surfactants through straight pipes. The formation of wormlike micelles was observed at temperatures below 10 degrees C. Drag reduction in the solutions was noted between 3 to 45 degrees C, with decreasing effectiveness at temperatures above 25 degrees C. The critical value of Re-c(,0) number for drag reduction onset was found to be dependent on temperature, pipe diameter, and surfactant weight ratio. The critical value of Re-c(,0) number has been linked to the clouding of CAPB/DEA solutions.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Sanket Goel, Khairunnisa Amreen
Summary: With the rise of cyber-physical systems, the development of flexible and wearable devices has been greatly enhanced. Various aspects, such as material choice, micro-reservoir placement, electrode integration, detection mechanisms, software, etc., need to be optimized for sensing and monitoring applications. Researchers are working on developing flexible devices with micro-reservoirs using laser-ablated graphene regions on different substrates. These devices can also be used for energy harvesting and storage. The ultimate goal is to integrate various sub-systems into a single mini-platform for prototype construction.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Krishnashis Chatterjee, Philip M. Graybill, John J. Socha, Rafael Davalos, Anne E. Staples
Summary: The research shows that microfluidic devices designed by mimicking insect respiratory kinematics can control flow rate and direction without internal valves, and achieve selective response of individual channels to a single global actuation frequency.
BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS
(2021)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Abhimanyu Harshey, Alok Kumar, Akash Kumar, Tanurup Das, Kriti Nigam, Ankit Srivastava
Summary: Legally sound evidence is essential in criminal investigations. Paper-based microanalytical devices (mu PADs) have gained attention in forensic science due to their practicality and portability in on-site detection of physical evidence. These devices not only aid in collecting legally sound evidence but also help in apprehending potential offenders by detecting traces.
MICROFLUIDICS AND NANOFLUIDICS
(2023)
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, Environmental
Xiao Liang, Jiyizhe Zhang, Min Li, Kai Wang, Guangsheng Luo
Summary: Surfactant adsorption plays an important role in microfluidic droplet formation, and this research proposes a method to determine the time-evolving interfacial tension using a differential pressure based microfluidic platform. The study shows that increasing surfactant concentration and flow rate promote surfactant adsorption.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jia Zhang, Wenhua Xu, Fengying Xu, Wangwang Lu, Liuyun Hu, Jianlin Zhou, Chen Zhang, Zhuo Jiang
Summary: Droplet microfluidics using 3D printing technology to fabricate microfluidic devices show great potential in food emulsion processing, enabling efficient generation of single emulsions and double emulsions with stability and high quality.
JOURNAL OF FOOD ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sunmoon Yu, Dohyung Kim, Zhiyuan Qi, Sheena Louisia, Yifan Li, Gabor A. Somorjai, Peidong Yang
Summary: The research demonstrates that surface ligands on nanoparticles can form an ordered ligand layer through ligand interactions, which can enhance the efficiency of CO2 conversion.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)