Multiple interactions between microfluidic droplets and on-chip pneumatic valves

Droplet arrays; Droplet microfluidics; Pneumatic valves; Complex workflows; Flow features; Hydrodynamic resistance; Microfluidic droplets; Multiple interactions; On chips; Pneumatic valve; Single-cell level; Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Materials Chemistry

Abstract :

[en] Microfluidic droplet arrays potentially allow to carry out assays involving complex workflows at the single-cell level. In recent developments [e.g. (Jeong et al. in Lab Chip 16:1698, 2016)], each droplet of the array can be addressed individually thanks to on-chip pneumatic valves. In this experimental and theoretical work, we investigate the multiple interaction regimes between one or several droplets and a pneumatic valve. In particular, two main trapping modes are characterized, with very distinct flow features. We quantify the potentially huge increase of hydrodynamic resistance induced by the droplet/valve interaction. Finally, we rationalize the main transitions between trapped and non-trapped regimes through a generic theoretical model of the balance between capillary, hydrodynamic and elastic forces.

Disciplines :

Mechanical engineering

Author, co-author :

Gilet, Tristan ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Aérospatiale et Mécanique (A&M)

Van Loo, Stéphanie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'aérospatiale et mécanique > Microfluidique

Language :

English

Title :

Multiple interactions between microfluidic droplets and on-chip pneumatic valves

Publication date :

March 2022

Journal title :

Microfluidics and Nanofluidics

ISSN :

1613-4982

eISSN :

1613-4990

Publisher :

Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH

Volume :

Issue :

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10404-022-02524-4.pdf

Funders :

F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE]

Funding text :

This work has been supported by the FNRS research Grant J.0088.20 (Visco-elastocapillarity in microfluidics).

Available on ORBi :

since 25 May 2022

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