Formation of dispersions using “flow focusing” in microchannels (original) (raw)

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Research Article| January 20 2003

Shelley L. Anna;

Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

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Nathalie Bontoux;

Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

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Howard A. Stone

Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

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Appl. Phys. Lett. 82, 364–366 (2003)

A flow-focusing geometry is integrated into a microfluidic device and used to study drop formation in liquid–liquid systems. A phase diagram illustrating the drop size as a function of flow rates and flow rate ratios of the two liquids includes one regime where drop size is comparable to orifice width and a second regime where drop size is dictated by the diameter of a thin “focused” thread, so drops much smaller than the orifice are formed. Both monodisperse and polydisperse emulsions can be produced.

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© 2003 American Institute of Physics.

2003

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