A Microchannel Device for Droplet Classification by Manipulation Using Piezoelectric Vibrator

Abstract

Emulsion formulations should be monodispersed in terms of their stability. Therefore, there is a need for a device that can classify droplets of the desired size from polydispersed emulsions in a fluidized bed manufacturing system. In the previous study, we evaluated the fabrication of a droplet manipulation device using acoustic radiation forces through simulation using the finite element method. In this study, particle manipulation experiments using 1, 6, and 10 µm polystyrene particles were first estimated and evaluated in comparison with their theoretical particle behavior. Based on the results we obtained, the driving conditions and droplet behavior were derived, and the droplet manipulation device using ultrasonic waves to shrink monodisperse emulsions was evaluated. As a result, the droplet classification effect in the microchannel was confirmed to be consistent with the droplet behavior prediction, and the microchannel structure with a constriction component improved its classification effect.

Keywords

• piezoelectric element
• microchannel
• particle manipulation
• emulsion
• droplet