Multiphase microfluidics: from flow characteristics to chemical and materials synthesis

TLDR

We review transport characteristics of pressure‑driven multiphase flows in microchannel networks, focusing on conditions that enhance mixing and reduce axial dispersion, and discuss microscale separation methods and design guidelines for scalable multiphase systems. The review summarizes dimensionless scaling parameters, experimental flow‑visualization techniques, static and dynamic stability considerations, and surface‑modification methods for stabilizing multiphase flows. Gas‑liquid and immiscible liquid‑liquid flow regimes are mapped with flow‑regime diagrams and linked to applications in chemistry and materials synthesis.

Abstract

We review transport characteristics of pressure-driven, multiphase flows through microchannel networks tens of nanometres to several hundred of micrometres wide with emphasis on conditions resulting in enhanced mixing and reduced axial dispersion. Dimensionless scaling parameters useful in characterizing multiphase flows are summarized along with experimental flow visualization techniques. Static and dynamic stability considerations are also included along with methods for stabilizing multiphase flows through surface modifications. Observed gas-liquid and immiscible liquid-liquid flows are summarized in terms of flow regime diagrams and the different flows are related to applications in chemistry and materials synthesis. Means to completely separate multiphase flows on the microscale and guidelines for design of scalable multiphase systems are also discussed.