On-demand generation of aqueous two-phase microdroplets with reversible phase transitions

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2013 · Lab on a Chip

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/c3lc41122b· OSTI ID:1068082

Boreyko, Jonathan B ^[1]; Mruetusatorn, Prachya ^[1]; Retterer, Scott T ^[1]; Collier, Pat ^[1]

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1. ORNL

Aqueous two-phase systems contained entirely within microdroplets enable a bottom-up approach to mimicking the dynamic microcompartmentation of biomaterial that naturally occurs within the cytoplasm of cells. Here, we demonstrate the on-demand generation of femtolitre aqueous two-phase droplets within a microfluidic oil channel. Gated pressure pulses were used to generate individual, stationary two-phase microdroplets with a well-defined time zero for carrying out controlled and sequential phase transformations over time. Reversible phase transitions between single-phase, two-phase, and core-shell microgel states were obtained via evaporation-induced dehydration and on-demand water rehydration. In contrast to other microfluidic aqueous two-phase droplets, which require continuous flows and high-frequency droplet formation, our system enables the controlled isolation and reversible transformation of a single microdroplet and is expected to be useful for future studies in dynamic microcompartmentation and affinity partitioning.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1068082
• Journal Information: Lab on a Chip, Vol. 13, Issue 7; ISSN 1473--0197
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English