Emulsion production microfluidic device

[0150]A diagram of a microfluidic device 100′ for producing an emulsion is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B (cross-section along the dotted line A-A) compliant with the principle of FIG. 2A.

[0151]In one embodiment, the dimensions of the microfluidic parts of such microfluidic device 100′ can be about 10 cm (length L0)×1 cm (width WO). For example, the height of the device would be the biggest height amongst h1, h2b.

[0152]Microfluidic device 100′ comprises a first channel 10′, a second channel 20′, and two facing arrays 31′,32′ of microchannels 30′ linking the first channel 10′ to the second channel 20′.

[0153]In one embodiment, each array 31′,32′ comprises 1 000 microchannels 30′.

[0154]Each microchannel 30′ has an inlet 33′ from the first channel 10′ and an outlet 34′ to the second channel 20′ (see FIG. 3B).

[0155]The second channel 20′ is, in the present invention, centrally positioned in the device between the two arrays of microchannels 30′.

[0156]Besides, it is straight here.

[0157]The se...

[0186] FIG. 5B shows microchannels having a first part with a constant width W along their length L1 and a second part which is flared along their length L2.

[0187] FIG. 5C shows microchannels having a first part with a constant width W along their length L1′ and a second part which is common to several microchannels along their length L2′, corresponding to coalescence of several microchannels.

[0188]The second parts of the microchannels have a same height h0.

1. First Emulsion Production Example

[0189]The phase to be dispersed 2a is decane (which is an alkane composed of a linear chain of ten atoms of carbon (C)), the continuous phase 2c is water with sodium dodecyl sulphate.

[0190]The flows of both phases are controlled by imposing a pressure on each reservoir containing the liquids and which are connected to the corresponding entry ports of the microfluidic device.

[0191]As shown in FIG. 6, oil-in-water drops 2b are formed at the end of the microchannels 30′, forming a compact emulsion having homogeneous size as revealed by the arrangement of the drops in a crystal like fashion.

[0192]The compact emulsion then flows to the central part 22′ ...