Study of the geometry in a 3D flow-focusing device

Elena Castro-Hernandez; Maarten Kok; Michel Versluis; David Fernandez Rivas

doi:10.1007/s10404-016-1708-3

Study of the geometry in a 3D flow-focusing device

Elena Castro-Hernandez, Maarten Kok, Michel Versluis, David Fernandez Rivas

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Abstract

We present a numerical and experimental study on a non-planar three-dimensional design of a microfluidic flow-focusing device for the well-controlled generation of monodisperse micron-sized droplets. Three relevant geometric parameters were identified: the distance between the inner inlet channel and the outlet channel, the width of the outlet channel, and its length. Simulation data extracted from a full parameter study and finite element simulations yielded four optimum designs that were then fabricated using soft lithography techniques. Under the predicted operating conditions, micro-droplets of a size of ∼1μm in diameter are obtained from a channel 50μm in width. This work represents an important breakthrough in the practical use of flow-focusing devices delivering a ratio of constriction to droplet size of 50 times, with the advantage of reduced clogging of the micro-channel, greatly improving the control and reliability of the device.

Original language	English
Article number	40
Journal	Microfluidics and nanofluidics
Volume	20
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-016-1708-3
Publication status	Published - 2 Feb 2016

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Castro‑Hernández2016studyFinal published version, 1.56 MBLicence: Taverne

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abstract = "We present a numerical and experimental study on a non-planar three-dimensional design of a microfluidic flow-focusing device for the well-controlled generation of monodisperse micron-sized droplets. Three relevant geometric parameters were identified: the distance between the inner inlet channel and the outlet channel, the width of the outlet channel, and its length. Simulation data extracted from a full parameter study and finite element simulations yielded four optimum designs that were then fabricated using soft lithography techniques. Under the predicted operating conditions, micro-droplets of a size of ∼1μm in diameter are obtained from a channel 50μm in width. This work represents an important breakthrough in the practical use of flow-focusing devices delivering a ratio of constriction to droplet size of 50 times, with the advantage of reduced clogging of the micro-channel, greatly improving the control and reliability of the device.",

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AU - Castro-Hernandez, Elena

AU - Kok, Maarten

AU - Versluis, Michel

AU - Fernandez Rivas, David

PY - 2016/2/2

Y1 - 2016/2/2

N2 - We present a numerical and experimental study on a non-planar three-dimensional design of a microfluidic flow-focusing device for the well-controlled generation of monodisperse micron-sized droplets. Three relevant geometric parameters were identified: the distance between the inner inlet channel and the outlet channel, the width of the outlet channel, and its length. Simulation data extracted from a full parameter study and finite element simulations yielded four optimum designs that were then fabricated using soft lithography techniques. Under the predicted operating conditions, micro-droplets of a size of ∼1μm in diameter are obtained from a channel 50μm in width. This work represents an important breakthrough in the practical use of flow-focusing devices delivering a ratio of constriction to droplet size of 50 times, with the advantage of reduced clogging of the micro-channel, greatly improving the control and reliability of the device.

AB - We present a numerical and experimental study on a non-planar three-dimensional design of a microfluidic flow-focusing device for the well-controlled generation of monodisperse micron-sized droplets. Three relevant geometric parameters were identified: the distance between the inner inlet channel and the outlet channel, the width of the outlet channel, and its length. Simulation data extracted from a full parameter study and finite element simulations yielded four optimum designs that were then fabricated using soft lithography techniques. Under the predicted operating conditions, micro-droplets of a size of ∼1μm in diameter are obtained from a channel 50μm in width. This work represents an important breakthrough in the practical use of flow-focusing devices delivering a ratio of constriction to droplet size of 50 times, with the advantage of reduced clogging of the micro-channel, greatly improving the control and reliability of the device.

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JO - Microfluidics and nanofluidics

JF - Microfluidics and nanofluidics

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Study of the geometry in a 3D flow-focusing device

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