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Note: A microfluidic freezer based on evaporative cooling of atomized aqueous microdroplets

Journal Article · · Review of Scientific Instruments
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4905184· OSTI ID:22392337
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Myongji University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 449-728 (Korea, Republic of)
  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Mapo-gu, Seoul 121-791 (Korea, Republic of)
We report for the first time water-based evaporative cooling integrated into a microfluidic chip for temperature control and freezing of biological solution. We opt for water as a nontoxic, effective refrigerant. Aqueous solutions are atomized in our device and evaporation of microdroplets under vacuum removes heat effectively. We achieve rapid cooling (−5.1 °C/s) and a low freezing temperature (−14.1 °C). Using this approach, we demonstrate freezing of deionized water and protein solution. Our simple, yet effective cooling device may improve many microfluidic applications currently relying on external power-hungry instruments for cooling and freezing.
OSTI ID:
22392337
Journal Information:
Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 86; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English