| 초록 |
Droplet-based microfludics has led to significant progress in multiple area including materials synthesis and droplet-based high-throughput biological assay. One key challenge that may determine the commercial success and translation of droplet-based microfluidic technologies is the scale-up of droplet generations. In this work, we develop a three-dimensional monolithic elastomer device (3D MED) for mass production of liquid droplets and gas bubbles. Using double-sided imprinting, 3D microchannels are formed in a single elastomer layer that has 1,000 parallel flow focusing generators (k-FFGs). We demonstrate mass production of liquid emulsion and gas bubbles at a production rate of up to 1,000 ml/hr and coefficient of variance of emulsions/bubbles generated from 3D MED is as low as 4.5%. Because of the simplicity and robustness of the microfluidic device design, 3D MED could potentially be used for a number of applications that requie highly monodisperse droplets and bubbles. |
