Droplet-based microfluidics is an effective tool for the miniaturisation and automation of biological assays in many applications. For reliable function, the droplets must be stable against coalescence; must be biocompatible and their components must remain encapsulated. These conditions are all controlled by the surfactant molecules. Understanding the transport of molecules between dispersed microcontainers is highly relevant for many encapsulation systems such as drug delivery systems and applications related to emulsion polymerisation or cell physics.
This hot paper by Taly, Baret and colleagues, addresses the dynamics of molecular exchange between droplets in a mixed emulsion. The authors link microscope exchange between two adjacent droplets and macroscopic kinetics of experimentally measured relaxation of concentration differences in an emulsion. The system uses droplets with two different concentrations of a fluorescent dye.
This article features on the front cover of the Soft Matter principles of microfluidics themed issue.
Dynamics of molecular transport by surfactants in emulsions
Soft Matter, 2012, 8, 10618. DOI: 10.1039/c2sm25934f (free to read for a short time)
Follow the latest journal news on Twitter @softmatter or go to our Facebook page.
To keep up-to-date with all the latest research, sign-up to our RSS feed or Table of contents alert.
