中国物理B ›› 2018, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (2): 29202-029202.doi: 10.1088/1674-1056/27/2/029202

所属专题: TOPICAL REVIEW — Soft matter and biological physics

• SPECIAL TOPIC—Soft matter and biological physics (Review) • 上一篇    

Surface-tension-confined droplet microfluidics

Xinlian Chen(陈新莲), Han Wu(伍罕), Jinbo Wu(巫金波)   

  1. 1. Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China;
    2. College of Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
  • 收稿日期:2017-09-28 修回日期:2017-12-14 出版日期:2018-02-05 发布日期:2018-02-05
  • 通讯作者: Jinbo Wu E-mail:jinbowu@t.shu.edu.cn
  • 基金资助:

    Project supported by the Shanghai Pujiang Program (Grant No. 16PJ1403200) and the Research Grant (Grant No. 16DZ2260601) from Science and Technology

Surface-tension-confined droplet microfluidics

Xinlian Chen(陈新莲)1, Han Wu(伍罕)2, Jinbo Wu(巫金波)1   

  1. 1. Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China;
    2. College of Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
  • Received:2017-09-28 Revised:2017-12-14 Online:2018-02-05 Published:2018-02-05
  • Contact: Jinbo Wu E-mail:jinbowu@t.shu.edu.cn
  • About author:92.20.cn; 79.60.Jv; 61.30.Hn; 05.70.Np
  • Supported by:

    Project supported by the Shanghai Pujiang Program (Grant No. 16PJ1403200) and the Research Grant (Grant No. 16DZ2260601) from Science and Technology

摘要:

This article is a concise overview about the developing microfluidic systems named surface-tension-confined droplet microfluidics (STORMs). Different from traditional complexed droplet microfluidics which generated and confined the droplets by three-dimensional (3D) poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based microchannels, STORM systems provide twodimensional (2D) platforms for control of droplets. STORM devices utilize surface energy, with methods such as surface chemical modification and mechanical processing, to control the movement of fluid droplets. Various STORM devices have been readily prepared, with distinct advantages over conventional droplet microfluidics, which generated and confined the droplets by 3D poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based microchannels, such as significant reduction of energy consumption necessary for device operation, facile or even direct introduction of droplets onto patterned surface without external driving force such as a micropump, thus increased frequency or efficiency of droplets generation of specific STORM device, among others. Thus, STORM devices can be excellent alternatives for majority areas in droplet microfluidics and irreplaceable choices in certain fields by contrast. In this review, fabrication methods or strategies, manipulation methods or mechanisms, and main applications of STORM devices are introduced.

关键词: surface-tension-confined, droplet, microfluidics, micropatterning, wettability

Abstract:

This article is a concise overview about the developing microfluidic systems named surface-tension-confined droplet microfluidics (STORMs). Different from traditional complexed droplet microfluidics which generated and confined the droplets by three-dimensional (3D) poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based microchannels, STORM systems provide twodimensional (2D) platforms for control of droplets. STORM devices utilize surface energy, with methods such as surface chemical modification and mechanical processing, to control the movement of fluid droplets. Various STORM devices have been readily prepared, with distinct advantages over conventional droplet microfluidics, which generated and confined the droplets by 3D poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based microchannels, such as significant reduction of energy consumption necessary for device operation, facile or even direct introduction of droplets onto patterned surface without external driving force such as a micropump, thus increased frequency or efficiency of droplets generation of specific STORM device, among others. Thus, STORM devices can be excellent alternatives for majority areas in droplet microfluidics and irreplaceable choices in certain fields by contrast. In this review, fabrication methods or strategies, manipulation methods or mechanisms, and main applications of STORM devices are introduced.

Key words: surface-tension-confined, droplet, microfluidics, micropatterning, wettability

中图分类号:  (Analytical chemistry)

  • 92.20.cn
79.60.Jv (Interfaces; heterostructures; nanostructures) 61.30.Hn (Surface phenomena: alignment, anchoring, anchoring transitions, surface-induced layering, surface-induced ordering, wetting, prewetting transitions, and wetting transitions) 05.70.Np (Interface and surface thermodynamics)