Issue 14, 2024

Droplet drinking in constrictions

Abstract

Droplets generated through microfluidics serve as a common platform for assembling artificial cells, which are feasibly tailored using microfluidic methodology. The ability of natural cells to undergo shape changes, such as phagocytosis, is a typical characteristic that researchers aim to mimic in artificial cells. However, simulating the deformation behavior of natural cells within droplets is exceptionally challenging. Here, this study reports a pinocytosis-like phenomenon observed in droplets, termed “droplet drinking”. When droplets traverse a capillary with constrictions, the shear force from the continuous-phase fluid induces relative motion within the droplets, creating concave regions at the rear. These regions facilitate engulfing of the continuous-phase fluid, resulting in the formation of multiple emulsions. This behavior is influenced by the capillary number, and the size of the ingested droplets is governed by the interfacial tension between the two phases. The production of multicore or multi-shell emulsions can be easily accomplished by making slight adjustments to the constrictions. Furthermore, this method demonstrates the integration of reactants into pre-existing droplets, facilitating biochemical reactions. This study presents a convenient approach for generating complex emulsions and an innovative strategy for studying deformation behavior in droplet-based artificial cells.

Graphical abstract: Droplet drinking in constrictions

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
01 Mot 2024
Accepted
17 Jan 2024
First published
18 Jan 2024

Lab Chip, 2024,24, 3412-3421

Droplet drinking in constrictions

S. Feng, C. Xue, C. Pan and S. Tao, Lab Chip, 2024, 24, 3412 DOI: 10.1039/D4LC00381K

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