Controlled formulation of monodisperse double emulsions in a multiple-phase microfluidic system

Abstract

This paper gives an overview of our recent work on the use of microfluidic devices to formulate double emulsions. Key issues in the controlled encapsulation of highly monodisperse drops include: (a) regular periodicity in the formation of micro droplets due to the interplay between viscous shearing and interfacial tension in low Reynolds number streams; (b) serially connected hydrophobic and hydrophilic microchannels to form aqueous and organic drops consecutively. Water-in-oil-in-water emulsions and oil-in-water-in-oil emulsions can both be produced by reversing the order of hydrophobic and hydrophilic junctions. Alternating formation of aqueous droplets at a cross junction has enabled the production of organic droplets that encase two aqueous droplets of differing compositions.