Lattice Boltzmann simulations of droplet formation in a T-shaped microchannel

We investigated the formation of a droplet from a single pore in a glass chip, which is a model system for droplet formation in membrane emulsification. Droplet formation was simulated with the lattice Boltzmann method, a method suitable for modeling on the mesoscale. We validated the lattice Boltzmann code with several benchmarks such as the flow profile in a rectangular channel, droplet deformation between two shearing plates, and a sessile drop on a plate with different wetting conditions. In all cases, the modeling results were in good agreement with the benchmark. A comparison of experimental droplet formation in a microchannel glass chip showed good quantitative agreement with the modeling results. With this code, droplet formation simulations with various interfacial tensions and various flow rates were performed. All resulting droplet sizes could be correlated quantitatively with the capillary number and the fluxes in the system.     

A new droplet breakup phenomenon in electrokinetic flow through a microchannel constriction

A completely new droplet breakup phenomenon is reported for droplets passing through a constriction in an electrokinetic flow. The breakup occurs during the droplet shape recovery process past the constriction throat by the interplay of the dielectrophoretic stress release and the interface energy for droplets with smaller permittivity than that of the ambient fluid. There are conditions for constriction ratios and droplet size that the droplet breakup occurs. The numerical predictions provided here require experimental verification, and then can give rise to a novel microfluidic device design with novel droplet manipulations.     

Droplet formation in a microchannel network

A method is given for generating droplets in a microchannel network. With oil as the continuous phase and water as the dispersed phase, pico/nanoliter-sized water droplets can be generated in a continuous phase flow at a -junction. The channel for the dispersed phase is 100 microm wide and 100 microm deep, whereas the channel for the continuous phase is 500 microm wide and 100 microm deep. For given experimental parameters, regular-sized droplets are reproducibly formed at a uniform speed. The diameter of these droplets is controllable in the range from 100-380 microm as the flow velocity of the continuous phase is varied from 0.01 m s(-1) to 0.15 m s(-1).     

Effect of interfacial tension on the dynamic behavior of droplet formation during microchannel emulsification

Microchannel (MC) emulsification is a novel technique for producing monodisperse emulsions. In this study, we investigated the effect of interfacial tension on the dynamic behavior of droplet formation with various surfactant concentrations. Interfacial tension did not affect the resultant droplet diameter in lower flow velocity ranges, but it did affect the time-scale parameters. These results were interpreted using the droplet formation mechanism reported in our previous study. At surfactant concentrations below 0.3%, the emulsification behavior was differed from that at higher surfactant concentrations. An analysis of diffusional transfer indicated that dynamic interfacial tension affects the emulsification behavior at lower surfactant concentrations. Dynamic interfacial tension that exceeded the equilibrium value led to a shorter detachment time. This resulted in stable droplet formation of monodispersed emulsions by spontaneous transformation, even at flow velocities above the predicted critical flow velocity. A previous study predicted that the droplet formation would become unstable and polydispersed larger droplets would form over critical flow velocity. Wetting of the MC with the dispersed phase at lower surfactant concentrations induced formation of larger polydispersed droplets at high flow velocities.     

Focusing particles by induced charge electrokinetic flow in a microchannel

A novel method of sheathless particle focusing by induced charge electrokinetic flow in a microchannel is presented in this paper. By placing a pair of metal plates on the opposite walls of the channel and applying an electrical field, particle focusing is achieved due to the two pairs of vortex that constrain the flow of the particle solution. As an example, the trajectories of particles under different electrical fields with only one metal plate on one side channel wall were numerically simulated and experimentally validated. Other flow focusing effects, such as the focused width ratio (focused width/channel width) and length ratio (focused length/half‐length of metal plate) of the sample solution, were also numerically studied. The results show that the particle firstly passes through the gaps between the upstream vortices and the channel walls. Afterwards, the particle is focused to pass through the gap between the two downstream vortices that determine the focused particle position. Numerical simulations show that the focused particle stream becomes thin with the increases in the applied electrical field and the length of the metal plates. As regards to the focused length ratio of the focused stream, however, it slightly increases with the increase in the applied electrical field and almost keeps constant with the increase in the length of the metal plate. The size of the focused sample solution, therefore, can be easily adjusted by controlling the applied electrical field and the sizes of the metal plates.     

Experimental investigation of droplet acceleration and collision in the gas phase in a microchannel

We developed a novel microfluidic system, termed a micro-droplet collider, by utilizing the spatial-temporal localized liquid energy to realize chemical processes, which achieved rapid mixing between droplets having a large volume ratio by collision. In this paper, in order to clarify the characteristics of the micro-droplet collider, dynamics of droplet acceleration, stationary motion and collision in the gas phase in a microchannel were experimentally investigated with visualized images using a microscope equipped with a high-speed camera. The maximum velocity of 450 mm s(-1) and acceleration of 1500 m s(-2) of a 1.6 nL water droplet were achieved at an air pressure of 100 kPa. Measurement results of dynamic contact angles of droplets indicated that wettability of the surface played an important role in the stability of droplet acceleration and collision. We found that the bullet droplet penetrated into the target droplet at collision, which differed from bulk scale. The deformation of the droplet was strongly suppressed by the channel structure, thus stable collision and efficient utilization of the droplet energy were possible. These results are useful for estimating the localized energy, for improving the system in order to realize extreme performance, and for extending the applications of microfluidic devices.     

Electroosmotic flow velocity measurements in a square microchannel

Experiments were performed using a microparticle image velocimetry (MPIV) for 2D velocity distributions of electroosmotically driven flows in a 40-mm-long microchannel with a square cross section of 200×200 μm. Electroosmotic flow (EOF) bulk fluid velocity measurements were made in a range of streamwise electric field strengths from 5 to 25 kV/m. A series of seed particle calibration tests can be made in a 200×120×24,000-μm untreated polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS channel incorporating MPIV to determine the electrophoretic mobilities in aqueous buffer solutions of 1× TAE, 1× TBE, 10 mM NaCl, and 10 mM borate. A linear/nonlinear (due to Joule heating) flow rate increase with applied field was obtained and compared with those of previous studies. A parametric study, with extensive measurements, was performed with different electric field strength and buffer solution concentration under a constant zeta potential at wall for each buffer. The characteristics of EOF in square microchannels were thus investigated. Finally, a composite correlation of the relevant parameters was developed in the form of within ±1% accuracy for 99% of the experimental data.     

Transient analysis of electroosmotic flow in a slit microchannel

The transient aspects of electroosmotic flow in a slit microchannel are studied. Exact solutions for the electrical potential profile and the transient electroosmotic flow field are obtained by solving the complete Poisson-Boltzmann equation and the Navier-Stokes equation under an analytical approximation for the hyperbolic sine function. The characteristics of the transient electroosmotic flow are discussed under influences of the electric double layer and the geometric size of the microchannel.     

Quantification of electrical field-induced flow reversal in a microchannel

We characterize the electroosmotic flow in a microchannel with field effect flow control. High resolution measurements of the flow velocity, performed by micro particle image velocimetry, evidence the flow reversal induced by a local modification of the surface charge due to the presence of the gate. The shape of the microchannel cross-section is accurately extracted from these measurements. Experimental velocity profiles show a quantitative agreement with numerical results accounting for this exact shape. Analytical predictions assuming a rectangular cross-section are found to give a reasonable estimate of the velocity far enough from the walls.     

Controllable preparation of nanoparticles by drops and plugs flow in a microchannel device

Well controlled two-liquid-phase flows in a T-junction microchannel device have been realized. The system of H2SO4 and BaCl2, respectively, in two phases to form BaSO4 nanoparticles was used as a probe to characterize the microscale two-phase flow and transport conditions of a system with interphase mass transfer and chemical reaction. Nanoparticles with narrow size and good dispersibility were produced through drops or plugs flow in the microdevice. As a novel work, the influence of mass transfer and chemical reaction on interfacial tension and flow patterns was discussed based on the experiments. At the same time, the effect of the two-phase flow patterns on the nanoparticle size was also discussed. It was found that the increase of the amount of mass transfer and chemical reaction could change the flow patterns from plugs flow to drops flow. The drop diameter or plug length could be changed in a wide range. Accordingly, a new parameter of mu(0)u(c)/gamma(0)/Q(d) was defined to distinguish the flow patterns. The prepared nanoparticles ranged in size from 10 to 40 nm. Apparently, the particle size decreased with the increase of the drop diameter or plug length. Reasons were discussed based on the mass transfer direction and speed in drops and plugs flow patterns.     

Control of flow rate and concentration in microchannel branches by induced-charge electrokinetic flow

This paper presents a numerical study of controlling the flow rate and the concentration in a microchannel network by utilizing induced-charge electrokinetic flow (ICEKF). ICEKF over an electrically conducting surface in a microchannel will generate vortices, which can be used to adjust the flow rates and the concentrations in different microchannel branches. The flow field and concentration field were studied under different applied electric fields and with different sizes of the conducting surfaces. The results show that, by using appropriate size of the conducting surfaces in appropriate locations, the microfluidic system can generate not only streams of the same flow rate or linearly decreased flow rates in different channels, but also different, uniform concentrations within a short mixing length quickly.     

Frequency-dependent laminar electroosmotic flow in a closed-end rectangular microchannel

This article presents an analysis of the frequency- and time-dependent electroosmotic flow in a closed-end rectangular microchannel. An exact solution to the modified Navier-Stokes equation governing the ac electroosmotic flow field is obtained by using the Green's function formulation in combination with a complex variable approach. An analytical expression for the induced backpressure gradient is derived. With the Debye-Hückel approximation, the electrical double-layer potential distribution in the channel is obtained by analytically solving the linearized two-dimensional Poisson-Boltzmann equation. Since the counterparts of the flow rate and the electrical current are shown to be linearly proportional to the applied electric field and the pressure gradient, Onsager's principle of reciprocity is demonstrated for transient and ac electroosmotic flows. The time evolution of the electroosmotic flow and the effect of a frequency-dependent ac electric field on the oscillating electroosmotic flow in a closed-end rectangular microchannel are examined. Specifically, the induced pressure gradient is analyzed under effects of the channel dimension and the frequency of electric field. In addition, based on the Stokes second problem, the solution of the slip velocity approximation is presented for comparison with the results obtained from the analytical scheme developed in this study.     

Enzymatic degradation of p-chlorophenol in a two-phase flow microchannel system

Enzymatic degradation of p-chlorophenol was carried out in a two-phase flow in a microchannel (100 microm width, 25 microm depth) fabricated on a glass plate (70 mm x 38 mm). This is the first report on the enzymatic reaction in a two-phase flow on a microfluidic device. The surface of the microchannel was partially modified with octadecylsilane groups to be hydrophobic, thus allowing clear phase separation at the end-junction of the microchannel. The enzyme (laccase), which is surface active, was solubilized in a succinic aqueous buffer and the substrate (p-chlorophenol) was in isooctane. The degradation of p-chlorophenol occurred mainly at the aqueous-organic interface in the microchannel. We investigated the effects of flow velocity and microchannel shape on the enzymatic degradation of p-chlorophenol. Assuming that diffusion of the substrate (p-chlorophenol) is the rate-limiting step in the enzymatic degradation of p-chlorophenol in the microchannel, we proposed a simple theoretical model for the degradation in the microchannel. The calculated degradation values agreed well with the experimental data.     

Electrokinetic flow in an elliptic microchannel covered by ion-penetrable membrane

The electrokinetic flow of an electrolyte solution in an elliptical microchannel covered by an ion-penetrable, charged membrane layer is examined theoretically. The present analysis extends previous results in that a two-dimensional problem is considered, and the system under consideration simulates the flow of a fluid, for example, in a microchannel of biological nature such as vein. The electroosmostic volumetric flow rate, the total electric current, the streaming potential, and the electroviscous effect of the system under consideration are evaluated. We show that, for a constant hydraulic diameter, the variations of these quantities as a function of the aspect ratio of a microchannel may have a local minimum or a local maximum at a medium level of ionic strength, which depends on the thickness of the membrane layer. For a constant cross-sectional area, the electroosmostic volumetric flow rate, the total electric current, and the streaming potential increase monotonically with the increase in the aspect ratio, but the reverse is true for the electroviscous effect.     

Electrokinetic flow in an elliptic microchannel covered by ion-penetrable membrane

The electrokinetic flow of an electrolyte solution in an elliptical microchannel covered by an ion-penetrable, charged membrane layer is examined theoretically. The present analysis extends previous results in that a two-dimensional problem is considered, and the system under consideration simulates the flow of a fluid, for example, in a microchannel of biological nature such as vein. The electroosmostic volumetric flow rate, the total electric current, the streaming potential, and the electroviscous effect of the system under consideration are evaluated. We show that, for a constant hydraulic diameter, the variations of these quantities as a function of the aspect ratio of a microchannel may have a local minimum or a local maximum at a medium level of ionic strength, which depends on the thickness of the membrane layer. For a constant cross-sectional area, the electroosmostic volumetric flow rate, the total electric current, and the streaming potential increase monotonically with the increase in the aspect ratio, but the reverse is true for the electroviscous effect.     

Diffusion based analysis in a sheath flow microchannel: the sheath flow T-sensor

This paper describes a microfluidic channel that allows for diffusion-based analysis of adsorbing species without passivation of the channel surfaces. The sheath flow configuration was used to measure the diffusion coefficient of fluorescently labeled species from their spatial distribution within the microchannel by analyzing the derivative of the intensity profile at the interface between two distinct core fluids. Measurements for both a small molecule (rhodamine B) and an intermediate-sized protein (wheat germ agglutinin) were made, demonstrating the utility of the sheath flow T-sensor.     

Analysis of electroosmotic flow of power-law fluids in a slit microchannel

Electroosmotic flow of power-law fluids in a slit channel is analyzed. The governing equations including the linearized Poisson-Boltzmann equation, the Cauchy momentum equation, and the continuity equation are solved to seek analytical expressions for the shear stress, dynamic viscosity, and velocity distribution. Specifically, exact solutions of the velocity distributions are explicitly found for several special values of the flow behavior index. Furthermore, with the implementation of an approximate scheme for the hyperbolic cosine function, approximate solutions of the velocity distributions are obtained. In addition, a generalized Smoluchowski velocity is introduced by taking into account contributions due to the finite thickness of the electric double layer and the flow behavior index of power-law fluids. Calculations are performed to examine the effects of kappaH, flow behavior index, double layer thickness, and applied electric field on the shear stress, dynamic viscosity, velocity distribution, and average velocity/flow rate of the electroosmotic flow of power-law fluids.     

X-ray diffraction of protein crystal grown in a nano-liter scale droplet in a microchannel and evaluation of its applicability

We describe the technical aspects of the in-situ X-ray diffraction of a protein crystal prepared by a nanodroplet-based crystallization method. We were able to obtain diffraction patterns from a crystal grown in a capillary without any manipulation. Especially in our experimental approach, the crystals that moved to the nanodroplet interface were fixed strongly enough to carry out X-ray diffraction measurements that could be attributed to the high surface tension of the nanodroplet. The crystal was damaged by an indirect action of the X-rays because our in-situ X-ray diffraction measurement was carried out in the liquid phase without freezing the crystal; however, the obtained several diffraction patterns were of sufficiently fine quality for the crystal structure factors to be generated. We consider the technical examination presented in this paper to represent a seamless coupling of crystallization to X-ray analysis.     

Ordered droplet formation by thin polymer film dewetting on a stripe-patterned substrate

The dewetting process of thin polystyrene (PS) film on flat and stripe-patterned substrates is presented. Different dewetting processes were observed when the thin PS films annealed at above the glass transition temperature on these different kinds of substrates. The final dewetting on the flat substrate led to formation of polygonal liquid droplets, while on the stripe-patterned substrate, the droplets were observed to align at the centers of the stripes. A possible explanation for the dewetting process on the stripe-patterned substrate is proposed.     

Complex pattern formation by adhesion-controlled anisotropic wrinkling

We report complex pattern formation and shape control in the confinement-induced wrinkling that occurs when a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) mold is placed on a bilayer of metal and polymer and then heated. Various complex structures that are different from the mold pattern form through the self-organization of wrinkles. These complex structures could be inverted in shape by manipulating the work of adhesion at the interface between the mold and the metal surface. Convex wrinkles result when the work of adhesion is relatively large. However, inverted concave wrinkles emerge when it is relatively small. The ratio of the mold period to the intrinsic wrinkling wavelength is another factor that determines the shape. The ability to tailor the shape of a surface is expected to have a broad range of applications in electro-optics and microfluidics.