title: Multiple-channel emulsion chips utilizing pneumatic choppers for biotechnology applications.
abstract: The formation of micro-scale monodispersed emulsions is crucial for a variety of applications such as cosmetics, food industry and biotechnology. In this study, a new microfluidic chip with a multiple-channel layout for high-throughput emulsions is reported. This chip generated fine-tuned and uniform microdroplets in liquids with a higher throughput for emulsification applications. It employed a combination of multiple hydrodynamic flow focusing and liquid-cutting devices called "active pneumatic choppers." Experimental data indicated that oil-in-water microdroplets with diameters ranging from 6 to 120 microm can be successfully generated with a coefficient of variation less than 3.75%. The size of the droplets can be actively fine-tuned by using two approaches by adjusting relative sheath/sample flow velocity ratios and chopping frequency. Finally, two commonly used biocompatible materials, including collagen and calcium-alginate (Ca-alginate), were used to form microspheres by utilizing the liquid-cutting technique. The developed microfluidic chip is promising in various applications including biotechnology, nano-medicine and cosmetics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yen-Heng
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Cheng-Tso
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lynn L H
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Gwo-Bin
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D001709:Biotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004655:Emulsions / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011312:Pressure
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions