Physics of Fluids - Publications

Study of the geometry in a 3D flow-focusing device

Microfluidics and Nanofluidics 20, 40 (2016)

Authors

	Elena Castro-Hernández
	Maarten Kok
	Michel Versluis
	David Fernández Rivas

BibTeΧ

@Article{Castro-Hernández2016,
author="Castro-Hern{\'a}ndez, Elena
and Kok, Maarten P.
and Versluis, Michel
and Fernandez Rivas, David",
title="Study of the geometry in a 3D flow-focusing device",
journal="Microfluidics and Nanofluidics",
year="2016",
volume="20",
number="2",
pages="40",
abstract="We present a numerical and experimental study on a non-planar three-dimensional design of a microfluidic flow-focusing device for the well-controlled generation of monodisperse micron-sized droplets. Three relevant geometric parameters were identified: the distance between the inner inlet channel and the outlet channel, the width of the outlet channel, and its length. Simulation data extracted from a full parameter study and finite element simulations yielded four optimum designs that were then fabricated using soft lithography techniques. Under the predicted operating conditions, micro-droplets of a size of                                                                           {\$}{\$}{\{}{\backslash}sim{\}}1{\backslash},{\backslash}upmu {\backslash}text {\{}m{\}}{\$}{\$}                                                                                    ∼                        1                                                $\mu$                        m                                                                             in diameter are obtained from a channel                                                                           {\$}{\$}50{\backslash},{\backslash}upmu {\backslash}text {\{}m{\}}{\$}{\$}                                                                                    50                                                $\mu$                        m                                                                             in width. This work represents an important breakthrough in the practical use of flow-focusing devices delivering a ratio of constriction to droplet size of 50 times, with the advantage of reduced clogging of the micro-channel, greatly improving the control and reliability of the device.",
issn="1613-4990",
doi="10.1007/s10404-016-1708-3",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10404-016-1708-3"
}