Droplets: Formation and Manipulation

In course

Description

This lecture covers the formation of droplets using microfluidic confinement, the role of surfactants in stabilizing droplets, and different methods for droplet manipulation such as capillary instability, step emulsification, and trapping of droplets. It also discusses the encapsulation of cells in droplets, single-cell encapsulation techniques, and high-throughput single-cell protein profiling. Various concepts like hydrophobic walls, surfactant properties, capillary forces, and Dean flow are explained in detail.

Instructor

Official source

https://mediaspace.epfl.ch/media/0_xtjkthol

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Related concepts (34)

Paper-based microfluidics

Paper-based microfluidics are microfluidic devices that consist of a series of hydrophilic cellulose or nitrocellulose fibers that transport fluid from an inlet through the porous medium to a desired outlet or region of the device, by means of capillary action. This technology builds on the conventional lateral flow test which is capable of detecting many infectious agents and chemical contaminants. The main advantage of this is that it is largely a passively controlled device unlike more complex microfluidic devices.

Droplet-based microfluidics

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Microfluidics

Microfluidics refers to a system that manipulates a small amount of fluids ((10−9 to 10−18 liters) using small channels with sizes ten to hundreds micrometres. It is a multidisciplinary field that involves molecular analysis, biodefence, molecular biology, and microelectronics. It has practical applications in the design of systems that process low volumes of fluids to achieve multiplexing, automation, and high-throughput screening.

Biome

A biome (ˈbaɪ.oʊm) is a biogeographical unit consisting of a biological community that has formed in response to the physical environment in which they are found and a shared regional climate. Biomes may span more than one continent. Biome is a broader term than habitat and can comprise a variety of habitats. While a biome can cover small areas, a microbiome is a mix of organisms that coexist in a defined space on a much smaller scale. For example, the human microbiome is the collection of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that are present on or in a human body.

Drop (liquid)

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