Geometry-controlled droplet generation in head-on microfluidic devices

Shui, Lingling and Mugele, Frieder and Berg van den, Albert and Eijkel, Jan C.T. (2008) Geometry-controlled droplet generation in head-on microfluidic devices. Applied Physics Letters, 93 (15). p. 153113. ISSN 0003-6951

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Abstract:	We investigated the generation of droplets in a head-on microfluidic device operated with the two identical channels as inlets and the “long leg” as a constriction channel leading to a wider outlet section. For capillary numbers (Ca) of approximately 10−5 or less, we find a Ca-independent droplet volume equal to the volume of the constriction channel, which decreases at higher Ca when shear forces become relevant. The droplet generation mechanism is explained in terms of a global capillary instability involving surprisingly stable intermediate surface configurations.
Item Type:	Article
Copyright:	© 2008 American Institute of Physics
Faculty:	Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) Science and Technology (TNW)
Research Group:	Biomedical and Environmental Sensor systems (BIOS) Physics of Complex Fluids (PCF)
Link to this item:	http://purl.utwente.nl/publications/61462
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3000624
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