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.
Type of IP
Faculty
Category of Patent
Department
The invention can be used for drug delivery, tissue engineering and other applications which help to advance the medical industry and improve healthcare.
- 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)
3
A proof of concept has been developed for the invention.
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.