Microfluidics: A tool to control the size and composition of particles

Abstract

Particles and capsules are used as containers for active ingredients to delay their degradation and control the location and kinetics of their release. Key to a successful application of these containers is a good control over their size, composition, and the release kinetics of encapsulants. These parameters can be tuned if containers are made from drops of a controlled size and composition; a method that enables formation of drops of a defined size is microfluidics. This review highlights some recent developments in the use of drops made with microfluidics to produce particles and capsules of controlled sizes, compositions, and structures.