title: Monodisperse droplet generation and rapid trapping for single molecule detection and reaction kinetics measurement.
abstract: On-chip monodisperse droplet analysis systems are ideal for low concentration and single molecule applications because they partition reagents into identical picoliter or smaller reactor volumes that can be observed in real-time. We present a novel trapping method with droplet stopping times of approximately 38 ms that is applicable to most on-chip droplet generators. The technique greatly extends optical interrogation times without droplet motion or coalescence; and will allow on-chip single molecule detection of nanoparticle emitters with simple optics. The method maintains droplet monodispersity without chemistry-altering surfactants, and has been shown to preserve a stationary droplet stream through repetitive high-temperature thermal cycling with no additional energy input required to maintain droplet position.
authors.affiliation: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, California 94551, USA. beer2@llnl.gov
authors.forename: Neil Reginald
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Beer
authors.forename: Klint Aaron
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D007700:Kinetics; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D009821:Oils / Q000032:analysis; D010316:Particle Size; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D009821:Oils; D014867:Water