Simultaneous generation of droplets with different dimensions in parallel integrated microfluidic droplet generators.

Abstract

This paper describes geometric coupling of the dynamics of break-up of liquid threads in parallel flow-focusing devices (FFD), which are integrated into a multiple quadruple-microfluidic droplet generator (QDG). We show weak parametric coupling between parallel FFDs with an identical design, which leads to the slight broadening of the distribution of sizes of droplets. Using parallel FFDs with distinct geometries we simultaneously generated several populations of droplets with different volumes, yet, each of these populations was characterized by a narrow size distribution. Simulation of the generation of droplets in the quadruple-microfluidic droplet generator based on hydraulic resistances to the flow of a single-phase fluid was in good agreement with the experimental results.