Droplet synchronization in multiple interconnected parallel channels

In droplet microfluidics, the pairing of droplets in parallel channels is sometimes required, e.g. to control their encounter and to promote their coalescence. Prakash and Gershenfeld [1] showed that passive synchronization could be achieved with bubbles in a ladder-like channel network. Bubbles flow in the rails and induce recirculation in the interconnecting rungs, which supposedly provides the feedback and subsequent synchronization. Ahn et al. recently extended this study to trains of droplets in flow-rate-driven conditions [2].

We here present an extensive experimental and theoretical investigation of droplets synchonization in multiple parallel channels. Droplets are produced with independent flow-focusing structures. Several experimental conditions are tested, including several geometries (and subsequent flow resistance) and inlet conditions (pressure-driven vs. flow-rate-driven). An extension to three rails is also considered. The microfluidic chips are designed with the help of a lumped-element model in which droplets are driven by the flows.

[1] M. Prakash and N. Gershenfeld, Science 2007, 315, 832-835
[2] Ahn et al., Lab-on-a-chip, 2011, 11, 3956-3962