Microfluidics-based methods have emerged as promising routes for generating microparticles and hydrogels due to the precise control they provide. In this work, a microfluidic platform to couple electrohydrodynamics with photopolymerization for the generation of polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) microparticles and hydrogels has been utilized. Using a 3D hybrid glass-PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) microfluidic device, PEGDA and PEGDA-water monomer droplets in the presence of electric fields are generated, subsequently solidifying them into microparticles and hydrogels through UV irradiation. The application of electric fields offers additional control over the size of the generated entities. The effect of the coupling strategy on the size, uniformity, and morphology of the generated entities has been investigated. It is demonstrated that by varying outer flow rates, applied voltages, and monomer concentrations, the sizes of PEGDA particles and hydrogels can be tuned over an order of magnitude while maintaining high monodispersity.
Figure 1. Illustration showing the generation of monomer droplets from a co-flow geometry in the presence of electric fields and their subsequent UV irradiation to generate microparticles and hydrogels
Existing droplet-based microfluidic techniques for generating photopolymerizable biomaterials utilize 2D planar devices, which face issues in handling high- viscosity liquids, wetting problems, and a tendency to clog easily. Consequently, there is a need to investigate 3D geometries for this purpose. Moreover, there have been no efforts to integrate active electric or magnetic actuation methods used for droplet generation with photopolymerization. Such integration could provide enhanced control over the size, uniformity, and morphology of the produced biomaterials.
- Electric fields allow size reduction of droplets
- UV irradiation allows polymerization of the generated droplets
- Combination of glass, PDMS(Polydimethylsiloxane), and metallic microchannels with electrode integration
- Assembled the entire device through simple and inexpensive micromolding technique
- Expansion of the spectrum of operating parameters that control the generation of PEGDA (polyethylene glycol diacrylate) microparticles and hydrogels using a single microfluidic platform
- Use of a 3D hybrid device successfully addresses issues faced by 2D planar devices
- Successfully obtained size reduction while maintaining good monodispersity (4% to 6% PDI)
This device is a combination of glass, PDMS, and metallic microchannels with electrode integration and was easily assembled through simple glass pipette pulling and PDMS molding techniques. Briefly, a glass platform was made by joining and gluing two microscope slides (75 × 50 mm2) end to end. A PDMS mold containing a main square channel with a side of 1.4 mm and additional side flow square channels of 1.4 mm sides, was fabricated and bonded to the glass platform. A square glass capillary of O.D. 1.4 mm was inserted into the PDMS main channel. One end of a cylindrical glass capillary (I.D of 0.7 mm and O.D of 0.87 mm) was pulled using a micropipette puller, then cut to a tip diameter of 100 µm using a microforge and inserted coaxially into the square capillary. Two hollow metal cylindrical tubes (18 gauge) were inserted into the side channels. Finally, another hollow metal cylindrical tube (18 gauge) was inserted into the central channel, coaxially opposite to the cylindrical capillary’s tip at a distance of 4 mm.
A proof of concept has been developed for the invention.
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The invention can be used for drug delivery, tissue engineering and other applications which help to advance the medical industry and improve healthcare.
Pharmaceutical industry, biomedical industry, chemical industry, food industry
Microparticles and hydrogels have numerous applications in tissue engineering, catalysis, sensors, drug delivery. These applications are very useful for the healthcare industry, biomedical industry, chemical industry, food industry, etc.
202021040048
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