title: Three-dimensional splitting microfluidics.
abstract: Microfluidic systems with splitting structures are excellent for increasing emulsion production. However, traditional two-dimensional (2D) lithographic systems require complex modification of the microchannel surfaces and achieve only 2D splitting of the droplets. Herein, we present new glass capillary microfluidic devices that perform three-dimensional (3D) splitting of droplets. These devices are simply constructed using different structural glass capillaries as the collection microchannels of the droplet microfluidic systems. We demonstrate that the devices are able to produce a 3D split of both single emulsions and double emulsions into two and three portions, respectively. These emulsions, after the splitting process, still have high monodispersity. We believe that this new technique for 3D splitting could be widely used, not only in the field of microfluidics but also in chemical/biological applications (e.g., drug delivery, micro-dispersion, etc.).
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, PR China. ypchen@mail.usts.edu.cn and Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, PR China.
authors.forename: Yongping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, PR China.
authors.forename: Chengbin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, PR China.
authors.forename: Yuanjin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D005898:Glass; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D056656:Lab-On-A-Chip Devices