Axel Günther

Multiphase microfluidics: from flow characteristics to chemical and materials synthesis.

We review transport characteristics of pressure-driven, multiphase flows through microchannel networks tens of nanometres to several hundred of micrometres wide with emphasis on conditions resulting in enhanced mixing and reduced axial dispersion. Dimensionless scaling parameters useful in characterizing multiphase flows are summarized along with experimental flow visualization techniques. Static and dynamic stability considerations are also included along with methods for stabilizing multiphase flows through surface modifications. Observed gas-liquid and immiscible liquid-liquid flows are summarized in terms of flow regime diagrams and the different flows are related to applications in chemistry and materials synthesis. Means to completely separate multiphase flows on the microscale and guidelines for design of scalable multiphase systems are also discussed.

Transport and reaction in microscale segmented gas–liquid flow

We use micro particle image velocimetry (microPIV) and fluorescence microscopy techniques to characterize microscale segmented gas-liquid flow at low superficial velocities relevant for chemical reactions with residence times of up to several minutes. Different gas-liquid microfluidic channel networks of rectangular cross section are fabricated in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) using soft lithography techniques. The recirculation motion in the liquid segments associated with gas-liquid flows as well as the symmetry characteristics of the recirculations are quantified for straight and meandering channel networks. Even minor surface roughness effects and the compressibility of the gas phase induce loss of symmetry and enhance mixing across the centerline in straight channels. Mixing is further accelerated in meandering channels by the periodic switching of recirculation patterns across the channel center. We demonstrate a new, piezoelectrically activated flow injection technique for determining residence time distributions (RTDs) of fluid elements in multiphase microfluidic systems. The results confirm a narrowed liquid phase RTD in segmented flows in comparison to their single-phase counterparts. The enhanced mixing and narrow RTD characteristics of segmented gas-liquid flows are applied to liquid mixing and in sol-gel synthesis of colloidal nanoparticles.

Mosaic hydrogels: one-step formation of multiscale soft materials.

The one-step, continuous formation of mosaic hydrogel sheets is presented. A microfluidic device allows controllable incorporation of secondary biopolymers within a flowing biopolymer sheet followed by a cross-linking step that retains the microscale composition. Information is encoded; mosaic stiffness and diffusivity patterns are created; tessellations are populated with biomolecules, microparticles and viable primary cells; and 3D soft material assemblies are demonstrated.

Predictive microfluidic control of regulatory ligand trajectories in individual pluripotent cells.

Local (cell-level) signaling environments, regulated by autocrine and paracrine signaling, and modulated by cell organization, are hypothesized to be fundamental stem cell fate control mechanisms used during development. It has, however, been challenging to demonstrate the impact of cell-level organization on stem cell fate control and to relate stem cell fate outcomes to autocrine and paracrine signaling. We address this fundamental problem using a combined in silico and experimental approach in which we directly manipulate, using laminar fluid flow, the local impact of endogenously secreted gp130-activating ligands and their activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription3 (STAT3) signaling in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC). Our model analysis predicted that flow-dependent changes in autocrine and paracrine ligand binding would impact heterogeneity in cell- and colony-level STAT3 signaling activation and cause a gradient of cell fate determination along the direction of flow. Interestingly, analysis also predicted that local cell density would be inversely proportional to the degree to which endogenous secretion contributed to cell fate determination. Experimental validation using functional activation of STAT3 by secreted factors under microfluidic perfusion culture demonstrated that STAT3 activation and consequently mESC fate were manipulable by flow rate, position in the flow field, and local cell organization. As a unique demonstration of how quantitative control of autocrine and paracrine signaling can be integrated with spatial organization to elicit higher order cell fate effects, this work provides a general template to investigate organizing principles due to secreted factors.

Microfluidic Study of Fast Gas–Liquid Reactions

We present a new concept for studies of the kinetics of fast gas-liquid reactions. The strategy relies on the microfluidic generation of highly monodisperse gas bubbles in the liquid reaction medium and subsequent analysis of time-dependent changes in bubble dimensions. Using reactions of CO(2) with secondary amines as an exemplary system, we demonstrate that the method enables rapid determination of reaction rate constant and conversion, and comparison of various binding agents. The proposed approach addresses two challenges in studies of gas-liquid reactions: a mass-transfer limitation and a poorly defined gas-liquid interface. The proposed strategy offers new possibilities in studies of the fundamental aspects of rapid multiphase reactions, and can be combined with throughput optimization of reaction conditions.

Large-scale structures in a developed flow over a wavy wall

We address - motivated in part by the findings of Gong et al. and Miller the role of streamwise-oriented large-scale structures in a developed flow between a sinusoidal bottom wall and a flat top wall. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is used to examine the spatial variation of the velocity in different planes of the flow through a water channel with an aspect ratio of 12:1. The wave amplitude is equal to one tenth of the wall wavelength, Λ, and Reynolds numbers between 500 and 7300, defined with the bulk velocity and the half-height of the channel, are considered. To examine streamwise-oriented structures, the spanwise variation of the velocity field is studied in a plane parallel to the top wall, and in one that intersects the wavy surface at an uphill location

A computational study of axial dispersion in segmented gas-liquid flow

Axial dispersion of a tracer in a two-dimensional gas-liquid flow is studied computationally using a finite-volume/front-tracking method. The effects of Peclet number, capillary number, and segment size are examined. At low Peclet numbers, the axial dispersion is mainly controlled by the convection through the liquid films between the bubbles and channel walls. In this regime, the computational results are found to be in a very good agreement with the existing model due to Pedersen and Horvath [Ind. Eng. Chem. Fundam. 20, 181 (1981)]. At high Peclet numbers, the axial dispersion is mainly controlled by the molecular diffusion, with some convective enhancement. In this regime, a new model is proposed and found to agree well with the computational results. These Peclet number regimes are shown to persist for different slug lengths. The axial dispersion is found to depend weakly on the capillary number in the diffusion-controlled regime. Finally, computational simulations are performed for the cases of six b...

Dynamics of large-scale structures in turbulent flow over a wavy wall

We describe the dynamics of large-scale structures in a developed turbulent flow between a train of waves and a flat wall. A water channel facility, for which the wavelength,

Droplet production from disintegrating bubbles at water surfaces. Single vs. multiple bubbles

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Switchable Water: Microfluidic Investigation of Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation Mediated by Carbon Dioxide

, of the bottom wall equals the channel height and the wave amplitude is ten times smaller, is used. The channel is sufficiently wide so that structures of spanwise scale O