Issue 12, 2011

Systematic investigation of droplet generation at T-junctions

Abstract

Droplet microfluidics has attracted much attention in recent years. For many droplet-based applications, researchers want to predict the size of the droplets in a certain experimental condition. To meet this need, van Steijn and colleagues proposed an elegant theoretical model that predicts the volume of droplets generated in a common channel configuration for forming a steady-state, continuous stream of droplets, the T-junction geometry. To determine the accuracy of this model in predicting droplet volume, we performed a systematic experimental study over two orders of magnitude in capillary number. We found that this model, albeit elegant, has a limited range of interfacial tension over which it can predict accurately the droplet volume. Our experimental results, together with fluid dynamic simulations, allowed us to highlight the importance of physical fluid properties when employing theoretical models.

Graphical abstract: Systematic investigation of droplet generation at T-junctions

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
26 Mar 2011
Accepted
18 Apr 2011
First published
17 May 2011

Lab Chip, 2011,11, 2055-2059

Systematic investigation of droplet generation at T-junctions

T. Schneider, D. R. Burnham, J. VanOrden and D. T. Chiu, Lab Chip, 2011, 11, 2055 DOI: 10.1039/C1LC20259F

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