Multiple continuous microfluidic reactors for the scaled up synthesis of gel or polymer particles
US8476382B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 5, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/2224
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This present invention provides devices for the parallelization of the formation of droplets in a multiple droplet generator integrating two or more parallel flow-focusing devices (FFDs) with either identical, or different, geometries. In the parallel identical FFDs, emulsification generates droplets with a narrow (below 4%) polydispersity despite weak coupling between the identical flow-focusing devices. Formation of droplets in the integrated droplet generator comprising FFDs with different dimensions of the microchannels occurs with strong coupling between the FFDs and produces droplets with varying sizes and size distributions. For such devices the regime in which emulsification produces droplets with varying dimensions and a narrow size distribution have been identified. The results of this work can be used in scaling up the production of droplets and in the simultaneous production of droplets and particles with different dimensions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.