title: Beating Poisson encapsulation statistics using close-packed ordering.
abstract: Loading drops with discrete objects, such as particles and cells, is often necessary when performing chemical and biological assays in microfluidic devices. However, random loading techniques are inefficient, yielding a majority of empty and unusable drops. We use deformable particles that are close packed to insert a controllable number of particles into every drop. This provides a simple, flexible means of efficiently encapsulating a controllable number of particles per drop.
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences/Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Adam R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Abate
authors.forename: Chia-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jeremy J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Agresti
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Weitz
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004339:Drug Compounding; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D053758:Nanoparticles; D016012:Poisson Distribution