Micro-Drops and Digital Microfluidics

9

Introduction to Droplet Microfluidics and Multiphase Microflows

9.1 Introduction

In the preceding chapters, we have studied the behavior of droplets placed on a planar surface. However, this is not the only way to manipulate droplets. Another approach, pioneered in the late 1990s, is usually called droplet microfluidics. In such an approach, immiscible discrete droplets are formed and transported by a continuous microflow (Fig. 9.1).

Figure 9.1 A continuous flow can be broken into discrete droplets [1].

It has been shown that these types of microflows, where droplets are continuously created and transported, can be of great interest for ...