Programmable fluidic droplet generation

摘要

A programmable fluidic device for generating droplets with resolutions of micrometer in size and milliseconds in generation timing is provided. The programmable fluidic device has a valve forming a droplet cutter, which contains a fluid deflectable membrane capable of controlling the flow of a dispensing fluid from a fluidic dispensing channel. The programmable fluidic device is able to perform temporal control over the droplet generation independent from the size control.

主权项

1. A fluidic system comprising a micro-sized or smaller-sized fluidic droplet generating unit for controlling an interval during which droplets are generated independent from controlling a size of the droplets, wherein the droplet generating unit comprises:
a plurality of fluid dispensing channels; a droplet transportation channel fluidically coupled with each of the fluid dispensing channels forming a plurality of T-junctions; one or more pressure controllable valves coupled to each of the fluid dispensing channels where the fluid dispensing channels meet the droplet transportation channel, wherein each of the valves have a piezoelectric pressure deflectable membrane controlled by an electric signal to generate micro-sized or smaller-sized droplets; and a controller operatively coupled with the valves, wherein the controller is configured to manipulate the valves such that a first droplet from one of the dispensing channels is injected into a second droplet as the second droplet moves along the transportation channel.