Customized Design of Scalable Microfluidic Droplet Generators Using Step-Emulsification Methods

Abstract

Customized monodisperse microparticles and microcapsules can be produced by combining microfluidic droplet generation with subsequent particle solidification. Established microfluidic devices for droplet formation like flow-focusing structures or T-junctions provide high reproducibility and controllability, but are often limited in terms of throughput or variability. A higher throughput by means of simple numbering-up can be achieved by applying alternative droplet formation mechanisms like step emulsification. Using laser-ablated glass reactors designed in-house, comprehensive studies with varied step geometry and process parameters were performed in order to provide fundamental data for general calculation methods allowing the fast design of customized microfluidic droplet generators.