Performance of Different “Lab-On-Chip” Geometries for Making Double Emulsions to Form Polystyrene Shells
- Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States). Lab. for Laser Energetics
- Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering
Fluid properties and the geometry of lab-on-chip (LOC) designs together affect the formation of double emulsions for making inertial confinement fusion targets. Critical fluid properties include the fluids’ velocities and interfacial tension—a coupled effect that is best characterized by the capillary number (Ca)—and the relative volumetric flow rates (φ). The important geometry of the LOC is the orientation of the channels where they intersect (junction) and the spacing between successive junctions. T-junctions and focus-flow devices were tested. The latter geometry of a double cross (focus flow) performed better: single-emulsion droplets were formed over a wide range of fluid parameters (0.03 < φ < 0.17 and 0.0003 < Ca < 0.001) at the first junction, and double emulsions were formed over a more limited range (φ > 0.5 and Ca < 0.4) at the second junction. A LOC design using the focus-flow design formed water–oil–water (W/O/W) double emulsions with the oil phase containing polystyrene. The double emulsions yielded shells with an outer dimension ranging from 2.3±0.07 mm to 4.3±0.23 mm and a wall thickness ranging from 30 μm to 1.6 mm. Thus, the value of the flow-rate ratio at the second junction provided the most-effective parameter for controlling the inner diameter, outer diameter, and wall thickness of the shell.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- NA0001944
- OSTI ID:
- 1427163
- Report Number(s):
- 2016-252, 1383; 2017-252, 1383, 2340
- Journal Information:
- Fusion Science and Technology, Vol. 73, Issue 2; Conference: 22nd Target Fabrication Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, 12-16 March 2017; ISSN 1536-1055
- Publisher:
- American Nuclear SocietyCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Web of Science
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