Unit 1, Anglian Business Park, Orchard Road, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 5TW, UK T: +44 (0)1763 242491 F: +44 (0)1763 246125 E: sales@dolomite-microfluidics.com W: www.dolomite-microfluidics.com Small Droplet Chips Dolomite Microfluidics North America Office Blacktrace Inc, 29 Albion Place Charlestown, MA 02129, USA C: 617 803 6655 T: 617 848 1121 F: 617 500 0136 E: salesus@dolomite-microfluidics.com product datasheet page Description 3 Benefits 4 Specifications 5 Sealing Interface 6 Geometry 6 Surface Coatings 7 Droplet Formation 8 Custom Options 8 Optical Transmission 9 IP license 9 The Dolomite Centre Limited Page 1 of 10
Part name Part number Small Quartz Droplet Chip (5µm etch depth) 3200152 Small Quartz Droplet Chip (5µm etch depth), hydrophobic 3200153 Small Quartz Droplet Chip (5µm etch depth), fluorophilic 3200516 Small Droplet Chip (14µm etch depth) 3200136 Small Droplet Chip (14µm etch depth), hydrophobic 3200137 Small Droplet Chip (14µm etch depth), fluorophilic 3200509 Small Quartz Droplet Chip (14µm etch depth) 3200146 Small Quartz Droplet Chip (14µm etch depth), hydrophobic 3200147 Small Quartz Droplet Chip (14µm etch depth), fluorophilic 3200514 MAR-000061 v1.5 Page 2 of 10
Description The Small Droplet Chip is a glass (quartz version available) microfluidic device designed for generating small droplets in the size range 2-30µm. The chips have a flow focussing junction geometry. On-chip filters are provided to prevent microchannel blockage. Versions with no filter on the droplet phase input are available, to allow fluids with suspended cells or particles to be used. The Small Droplet Chips are available with a hydrophilic glass surface for generating droplets of oil-in-water and also with a hydrophobic and fluorophilic surface coating for generating droplets of water-in-oil. The Small Droplet Chips are compatible with the Top Interface 4-way 4 mm (Part No. 3000109) and Linear Connector 4-way (Part No. 3000024) for quick and reliable fluidic connection from tubing to chip. Applications are found in single-cell analysis, drug delivery, materials science and food research where droplets in this size range give emulsion products with improved characteristics. Top Left: Small Droplet Chip (3200136), Top Right: Small Droplet Chip in Top Interface 4-way 4 mm (Part No.3000109) with Linear Connector 4-way (Part No. 3000024), Bottom Left: ~Ø30 µm oil-in-water droplets generated on the Small Droplet Chip, Bottom Right: ~Ø10 µm oil-in-water droplets generated on the Small Droplet Chip MAR-000061 v1.5 Page 3 of 10
Benefits Rapid generation of small droplets in the 2 30 µm size range Ideal for producing and analysing micro-emulsions Near-circular microchannel profile at the junction for stable droplet generation Generates highly monodisperse droplets when used with the Small Droplet System Hydrophilic, hydrophobic and fluorophilic versions Quartz version for improved optical transmission On-chip filters on inlet channels to prevent blockages Versions with no filter on the droplet phase allow fluids with suspended cells or particles to be used Excellent chemical compatibility High visibility (excellent access for optics) Compatible with Dolomite Multiflux Linear Connectors for quick and reliable fluidic connection MAR-000061 v1.5 Page 4 of 10
Specifications Specification 3200136 3200137/ 3200509 3200146 3200147/ 3200514 3200152 3200153/ 3200516 Channel cross-section at junction (depth x width) Wide channel cross-section (depth x width) Droplet size range 14 x 17 µm 5 x 8 µm 14 x 500 µm 5 x 491 µm Ø 5 30 µm Ø 2 10 µm Chip format 3 input ports, 1 output port Chip size (length x width x thickness) Chip top and base layer thickness 22.5 x 15 x 4 mm 2 mm Port size 500 µm Channel length after junction Back pressure with 10µl/min flow of water Surface roughness of channels (Ra) Max. operating pressure 27.4mm 0.7 bar 17.5 bar 5 nm 30 bar Material Glass Quartz Fabrication HF etching and thermal bonding Channel coating None (Hydrophilic) Hydrophobic/ Fluorophilic None (Hydrophilic) Hydrophobic None (Hydrophilic) Hydrophobic/ Fluorophilic Data are based on tests at 21 degc. The standard hydrophobic coating is not optimised for use with Picosurf 1 and 2 (fluorocarbon oils). If Picosurf is to be used we suggest using a fluorophilic coating on the channel surface. MAR-000061 v1.5 Page 5 of 10
Sealing Interface Linear connector Seal Connector tubing (PTFE, FEP) Microchannel Top connector base Glass microfluidic chip Chip to tube sealing interface Geometry Geometry of Small Droplet Chip Channel at junction Wide channel Channel depth Channel depth Channel width Channel width Micro-channel profile of Small Droplet Chip (not to scale) MAR-000061 v1.5 Page 6 of 10
Geometry of Small Droplet Chip in Top Interface 4-way 4mm (Part No. 3000109) with Linear Connector 4-way (Part No. 3000024) Surface Coatings The glass channel surface is naturally hydrophilic. This will form organic droplets in an aqueous carrier phase. To form aqueous droplets in an organic phase, a hydrophobic and fluorophilic coating are required. Part numbers for the two chip types are shown below: H2O (Aqueous) Droplets Oil (Organic) Droplets Small Droplet Chips Hydrophobic/ Fluorophilic Small Droplet Chips Hydrophilic The hydrophobic coating is resistant to organic solvents. It can be removed using acidic or basic solutions, for example a 0.1M Sodium Hydroxide for 24 hours. MAR-000061 v1.5 Page 7 of 10
Droplet Formation The size, consistency, and production rate of droplet formation is a function of several physical parameters, including: Channel size Viscosity and surface tension of the various fluids Presence of surfactants Miscibility of the fluids Use of hydrophobic, fluorophilic or hydrophilic coating on the channel walls Total flow rate and relative flow rate of each fluid Flow stability To accelerate development work in droplet microfluidics, Dolomite offers a range of modular micro droplet systems featuring Dolomite s industry leading microfluidic pumps, connectors and chips. The Droplet Advanced System is recommended for use with the small droplet chip for optimum results. This features the Mitos P-Pump, which provides stable, pulse-free flow for generation of droplets with extremely consistent diameters (monodisperse). Please contact Dolomite to configure a droplet system that fits your requirements. Mitos P-Pump, Flow Resistors and Droplet Chips featured in the Droplet Advanced System Custom Options Other chip configurations are available on request. If you would like to generate droplets of a different size, operate without surfactant or create Janus particles, Dolomite can design the junction geometry required. The range of Dolomite services available covers all aspects of the development process from characterization of liquids for droplet generation to the design of commercial instruments in the field of droplet microfluidics. Please contact Dolomite to discuss your application. MAR-000061 v1.5 Page 8 of 10
Transmittance, % The Dolomite Centre Ltd Optical Transmission Spectral Transmittance of 2mm glass layer 100 80 60 40 20 0 250 350 450 550 650 750 Wavelength, nm Optical Transmission of Glass (3200136, 3200137) Optical Transmission of Synthetic Quartz Viosil-SQ (3200146, 3200147, 3200152 and 3200153) IP license Dolomite is a licensee of Japan Science and Technology Agency ( JST ) under JST s microdroplet generation technology. Please see our website for further details. MAR-000061 v1.5 Page 9 of 10
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