Micro droplet and bubble generation device

Abstract

In a micro-droplet and bubble generating device having a slit and a plurality of micro-channel arrays, the structure is as follows: any one of a continuous phase and a dispersed phase is supplied to the slit; a terminal of the slit, a supply port for the other of the continuous phase and the dispersed phase, and a discharge port are connected to the plurality of micro-channels; the plurality of micro-channels have a narrow portion in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is locally narrowed at a portion adjacent to or in the vicinity of a connection portion connected to the slit; the continuous phase and the dispersed phase that merge at the above-mentioned connection portion flow into the narrow portion; in the narrow portion, the dispersed phase is sheared using the flow of the continuous phase as a driving force to generate droplets or bubbles of the dispersed phase, and the product is recovered from the discharge port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a micro-droplet and bubble generating device using a micro-channel. Background Art

[0002] The microdroplet and bubble generation method using the branching structure of the microfluidic channel can generate emulsion droplets and bubbles with excellent monodispersity, and is therefore applied to various fields represented by chemical and biochemical analysis. However, when this method is applied to production technology, it is difficult to achieve the required production volume, such as several tons / year, through a single microfluidic channel (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] Under such circumstances, in order to significantly increase (improve) the amount of droplets and bubbles generated, attempts to arrange many microchannels in parallel have been reported (non-patent documents 3 and 4). In the generation of microdroplets and bubbles using a branching structure of a microchannel, the size of the generated droplets and bubbles varies according to the flow rate of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. Therefore, in order to generate droplets and bubbles of uniform size, it is necessary to evenly distribute the dispersed phase and the continuous phase to the microchannels arranged in parallel. In previous parallel devices, equal flow distribution to each generation flow path was achieved by connecting a symmetrically branched distribution flow path to each generation flow path (non-patent documents 3 to 5) and connecting a flow path that is sufficiently large relative to the size of the generation flow path to each generation flow path in a ladder shape (non-patent documents 5 to 7). So far, it has been reported that a maximum of 512 cross-shaped droplet generation channels are arranged in parallel in a ring shape by using a distribution channel with a symmetrical branch structure (Non-Patent Document 8), and a maximum of 1,000 droplet generation channels are arranged in parallel in a matrix shape by using a ladder-shaped liquid distribution channel (Non-Patent Document 9). It has also been reported that a large number of bubbles are produced using the same device (Non-Patent Document 10). In addition, a device capable of attaching and detaching a liquid supply channel and a droplet generation channel has been proposed (Non-Patent Documents 2 and 3).

[0004] On the other hand, in conventional parallel devices, separate through holes corresponding to the respective droplet or bubble generation channels are formed to connect the liquid or gas distribution channel with the respective droplet or bubble generation channels, thus requiring a complicated device manufacturing process.

[0005] Patent document 1 proposes a micro-droplet and bubble generating device, in which, instead of configuring the droplet or bubble generating flow path in a two-dimensional plane, a simple structure is used in which a slit and a micro-flow path array are three-dimensionally combined, and no separate through-holes corresponding to each droplet or bubble generating flow path are required. The device is a micro-droplet and bubble generating device that can be easily installed and managed and is densely configured with micro-droplet or bubble generating parts. However, in the device, when generating droplets or bubbles of smaller size, a flow path of smaller size is simply used, which is accompanied by a problem of higher pressure loss and a higher risk of clogging.

[0006] On the other hand, as a conventional microfluidic technology related to the present invention, the following technology (flow focusing) is widely used: a continuous phase supply flow path is arranged on both sides of a dispersed phase supply flow path on a substrate, and the flow of the continuous phase is sandwiched between the flow of the dispersed phase and supplied to a part of the flow path where the flow path is locally narrowed, thereby generating droplets or bubbles (non-patent document 11). However, there is the following problem in this technology: two continuous phase supply flow paths are arranged on both sides of a dispersed phase supply flow path, so it is not suitable for high-density integration.

[0007] Prior art literature

[0008] Non-patent literature

[0009] Non-patent document 1: T. Nisisako et al., Lab Chip, 8, 287-293, 2008.

[0010] Non-patent document 2: T. Nisisako et al., Lab Chip, 12, 3426-3435, 2012.

[0011] Non-patent document 3: T. Nisisako et al., Curr. Opin. Colloid Interface Sci., 25, 1-12, 2016.

[0012] Non-patent document 4: H.-H. Jeong et al., Korean J. Chem. Eng. 33, 1757-1766, 2016.

[0013] Non-patent document 5: GT Meris et al., Ind. Eng. Chem. 48, 881-889, 2009.

[0014] Non-patent document 6: W. Li et al., Lab Chip, 9, 2715-2721, 2009.

[0015] Non-patent document 7: MB Romanowsky et al., Lab Chip, 12, 802-807, 2012.

[0016] Non-patent document 8: D. Conchouso et al., Lab Chip, 14, 3011-3020, 2014.

[0017] Non-patent literature 9: H.-H. Jeong et al., Lab Chip, 15, 4387-4392, 2015.

[0018] Non-patent literature 10: H.-H. Jeong et al., Lab Chip, 17, 2667-2673, 2017.

[0019] Non-patent document 11: SL Anna et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 82, 364-366, 2003.

[0020] Patent Literature

[0021] Patent document 1: WO2019 / 168130 Summary of the invention

[0022] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0023] The object of the present invention is to provide a micro-droplet and bubble generating device which solves the above-mentioned problems. In a device structure which is a three-dimensional combination of a slit and a micro-channel array, it is possible to generate droplets and bubbles of smaller size, and to generate micro-droplets or bubbles with lower pressure loss and lower risk of clogging.

[0024] Solutions for solving problems

[0025] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following inventions and technical solutions.

[0026] (Technical Solution 1)

[0027] A micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100), wherein the micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) is composed of:

[0028] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) comprises a plurality of micro-channel (9) rows and slits (3, 4).

[0029] The plurality of microchannels (9) are connected to the terminal ends of the slits (3, 4) in a reference plane (S), and the slits (3, 4) extend from the reference plane (S) in a manner away from the plurality of microchannels (9) in a cross-sectional direction of the plurality of microchannels (9).

[0030] The plurality of microchannels (9) have a first-side microchannel (9-1) and a second-side microchannel (9-2) on both sides of a connection portion (P) connected to the slits (3, 4).

[0031] The microchannel (9-1) on the first side is connected to one of the continuous phase supply port (7) and the dispersed phase supply port (6), the slits (3, 4) are connected to the continuous phase supply port (7) or the dispersed phase supply port (6) which is different from the one, the continuous phase (2) is supplied from the continuous phase supply port (7), and the dispersed phase (1) is supplied from the dispersed phase supply port (6),

[0032] The microchannel (9-2) on the second side is connected to the discharge port (8).

[0033] In the microchannel (9-2) on the second side, the plurality of microchannels (9) have a narrowing portion (N) where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is locally narrowed at or near the connection portion (P) connected to the slits (3, 4).

[0034] The continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) merged at the connection point (P) where the multiple microchannels (9) are connected to the slits (3, 4) flow into the narrow part (N), and at the narrow part (N), the dispersed phase (1) is sheared using the flow of the continuous phase (2) as a driving force to generate droplets or bubbles of the dispersed phase (1), and the product is recovered from the discharge port (8).

[0035] (Technical Solution 2)

[0036] According to the micro-droplet and bubble generating device described in technical solution 1,

[0037] The cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow portion (N) is within a range of 1 / 100 to 1 / 1.5 of the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel (9-2) on the second side.

[0038] (Technical Solution 3)

[0039] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to technical solution 1 or 2, wherein:

[0040] The length of the narrow portion (N) in the flow channel direction is within a range of 0.01 to 10 times the square root of the area of ​​the cross section of the microchannel (9-2) on the second side.

[0041] (Technical Solution 4)

[0042] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 3, wherein:

[0043] The distance from the connection part (P) where the multiple microchannels (9) are connected to the slits (3, 4) to the narrow part (N) is less than 5 times (including zero) the square root of the area of ​​the cross section of the microchannel (9-2) on the second side, wherein when the multiple microchannels (9) and the slits (3, 4) are respectively located on both sides of the reference plane (S), the narrow part (N) can exist overlapping with the connection part (P) when the reference plane (S) is viewed from above.

[0044] (Technical Solution 5)

[0045] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 4, wherein:

[0046] The microchannel (9) has a width of 0.1 to 1000 μm when viewed from above the reference plane (S), and a height of 0.1 to 1000 μm in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane (S).

[0047] (Technical Solution 6)

[0048] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 5, wherein:

[0049] When viewed from above the reference plane (S), the width of the terminal ends of the slits (3, 4) is 1 to 1000 μm.

[0050] (Technical Solution 7)

[0051] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 6, wherein:

[0052] The cross-sectional size of the narrow portion (N) is in the range of 0.1 to 1000 μm.

[0053] (Technical Solution 8)

[0054] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 7, wherein:

[0055] The length of the narrow portion (N) in the flow channel direction is within a range of 0.1 to 1000 μm.

[0056] (Technical Solution 9)

[0057] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 8, wherein:

[0058] The distance from the connection part (P) where the multiple microchannels (9) are connected to the slits (3, 4) to the narrow part (N) is less than 1000 μm (including zero), wherein when the multiple microchannels (9) and the slits (3, 4) are respectively located on both sides of the reference plane (S), the narrow part (N) can exist overlapping with the connection part (P) when the reference plane (S) is viewed from above.

[0059] (Technical Solution 10)

[0060] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 9, wherein:

[0061] The continuous phase supply port (7) or the dispersed phase supply port (6) and / or the discharge port (8) of the microchannel (9-1) on the first side includes an additional slit (3, 4, 5), the terminal end of the additional slit (3, 4, 5) is connected to the multiple microchannels (9), and the additional slit (3, 4, 5) extends in a manner away from the multiple microchannels (9) in the cross-sectional direction of the multiple microchannels (9).

[0062] (Technical Solution 11)

[0063] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 10, wherein:

[0064] The discharge port (8) includes a cylindrical hole (5-1), and the microchannel (9-2) on the second side of the plurality of microchannels (9) is connected to the cylindrical hole (5-1).

[0065] (Technical Solution 12)

[0066] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 11, wherein:

[0067] The dispersed phase (1) is a gas phase, and the continuous phase (2) is a liquid phase.

[0068] (Technical Solution 13)

[0069] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 11, wherein:

[0070] The dispersed phase (1) and the continuous phase (2) are both liquid phases.

[0071] (Technical Solution 14)

[0072] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 11, wherein:

[0073] The inner walls of the plurality of microchannels (9) are formed of a hydrophobic surface, the dispersed phase (1) is an aqueous phase, and the continuous phase (2) is an organic phase.

[0074] (Technical Solution 15)

[0075] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 11, wherein:

[0076] The inner walls of the plurality of microchannels (9) are formed of a hydrophilic surface, the dispersed phase (1) is an organic phase, and the continuous phase (2) is an aqueous phase.

[0077] Effects of the Invention

[0078] According to the present invention, there is provided a micro-droplet or bubble generating device (100), which is a micro-droplet or bubble generating device (100) that can be easily installed and managed and is densely equipped with a micro-droplet or bubble generating unit, and can generate droplets and bubbles of smaller size, and can generate micro-droplets or bubbles under conditions of lower pressure loss and lower risk of clogging. Furthermore, according to the present invention, when droplets of a desired size are obtained at a certain dispersed phase flow rate, they can be obtained at a lower continuous phase flow rate, achieving a higher dispersed phase volume ratio, and with this, there are effects such as saving continuous phase consumption and generating a higher density droplet column. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0079] Figure 1 This is a diagram schematically showing a plurality of microchannels (9) and slits (3) in the microdroplet and bubble generating device of the present invention.

[0080] Fig. 2-1 shows an example of a droplet and bubble generation channel in Embodiment 1 of the fine droplet and bubble generation device (100) of the present invention. (a) is a top view of a member having fine grooves, and (b) is a developed perspective view of a liquid distributing member.

[0081] Fig. 2-2 shows an example of a droplet and bubble generation flow path of embodiment 1 of the micro-droplet and bubble generation device (100) of the present invention. (c) is a perspective view showing a part having a micro-groove and a liquid distribution part to be joined (partial cross section), and (d) is a top view when the part having a micro-groove and the liquid distribution part are joined.

[0082] 2-3 show an example of a droplet and bubble generation channel in Embodiment 1 of the micro droplet and bubble generation device (100) of the present invention. (e) and (f) are perspective views showing the generation of droplets at the intersection of a slit and a micro channel from above.

[0083] Figure 3-1: In embodiment 2 of the micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) of the present invention, (a) is a stereoscopic view of a part having a micro-groove and a liquid distribution part to be joined (partial cross section), and (b) is a top view of the part having a micro-groove and the liquid distribution part when they are joined.

[0084] 3-2 : In Embodiment 2 of the micro-droplet and bubble generating device ( 100 ) of the present invention, (c) and (d) are perspective views showing the generation of droplets at the intersection of the slit and the micro-channel, as viewed from above.

[0085] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of the groove shape of a member having fine grooves to be joined to the droplet distributing member in the present invention.

[0086] Figure 5 : In embodiment 3 of the micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) of the present invention, (a) is a stereoscopic view of a cover and a liquid distribution component (partial cross section) to be joined and processed with micro-grooves, and (b) is a top view when the cover and the liquid distribution component processed with micro-grooves are joined.

[0087] Figure 6-1: In embodiment 5 of the micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) of the present invention, (a) is a stereoscopic view of a part having a micro-groove and a circular liquid distribution part (partial cross section) after assembling the three components, and (b) is a top view when the part having a micro-groove is joined to the liquid distribution part.

[0088] 6-2 : In Embodiment 5 of the micro-droplet and bubble generating device ( 100 ) of the present invention, (c) and (d) are diagrams showing how droplets are generated at the intersection of a slit and a micro-channel.

[0089] Figure 7 : In embodiment 7 of the micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) of the present invention, (a) is a stereoscopic view of a cover and a circular ring-shaped liquid distribution component (partial cross section) with micro-grooves after assembling the three components, and (b) is a top view of the cover when it is joined to the liquid distribution component with micro-grooves.

[0090] Figure 8 (a) The state of droplet generation and (b) and (c) the size distribution of the generated droplets (continuous phase flow rate (Q c )=20mL / h, dispersed phase flow rate (Q d )=10mL / h).

[0091] Fig. 9 (a) The state of droplet generation and (b) and (c) the size distribution of the generated droplets (continuous phase flow rate (Q c)=10mL / h, dispersed phase flow rate (Q d )=10mL / h).

[0092] Fig.10 (a) The droplet generation of Comparative Example 1 and (b) and (c) the size distribution of the generated droplets (continuous phase flow rate (Q c )=20mL / h, dispersed phase flow rate (Q d )=10mL). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0093] The present invention relates to a micro-droplet and bubble generating device, which is a micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100), wherein:

[0094] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) is composed of:

[0095] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) comprises a plurality of micro-channel (9) rows and slits (3, 4).

[0096] The plurality of microchannels (9) are connected to the terminal ends of the slits (3, 4) in a reference plane (S), and the slits (3, 4) extend from the reference plane (S) in a manner away from the plurality of microchannels (9) in a cross-sectional direction of the plurality of microchannels (9).

[0097] The plurality of microchannels (9) have a first-side microchannel (9-1) and a second-side microchannel (9-2) on both sides of a connection portion (P) connected to the slits (3, 4).

[0098] The microchannel (9-1) on the first side is connected to one of the continuous phase supply port (7) and the dispersed phase supply port (6), the slits (3, 4) are connected to the continuous phase supply port (7) or the dispersed phase supply port (6) which is different from the one, the continuous phase (2) is supplied from the continuous phase supply port (7), and the dispersed phase (1) is supplied from the dispersed phase supply port (6),

[0099] The microchannel (9-2) on the second side is connected to the discharge port (8).

[0100] In the microchannel (9-2) on the second side, the plurality of microchannels (9) have a narrowing portion (N) where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is locally narrowed at or near the connection portion (P) connected to the slits (3, 4).

[0101] The continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) merged at the connection point (P) where the multiple microchannels (9) are connected to the slits (3, 4) flow into the narrow part (N), and at the narrow part (N), the dispersed phase (1) is sheared using the flow of the continuous phase (2) as a driving force to generate droplets or bubbles of the dispersed phase (1), and the product is recovered from the discharge port (8).

[0102] In the present invention, the "microdroplet and bubble generating device" refers to a microdroplet or bubble generating device, and any device may generate at least one of microdroplets and microbubbles.

[0103] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) of the present invention comprises a plurality of micro-channel (9) rows and slits (3, 4).

[0104] A plurality of microchannels (9) exist on a reference plane (S). In particular, a plurality of microchannels (9) exist above the reference plane (S). The plurality of microchannels (9) are channels through which a continuous phase (2), a dispersed phase (1), and any one of microdroplets and bubble generation phases flow. The reference plane (S) may be the surface of an actual component, but the reference plane (S) may not be the surface of an actual component but may be an imaginary plane in the definition of the present invention.

[0105] In the present invention, the shape of the cross section of the microchannel (9) is a rectangle, a trapezoid, a triangle, a polygon, a semicircle, a circle, an ellipse or a semi-ellipse, etc., which can be selected according to the material of the processing object and the processing means. Regarding the size of the microchannel (9), the width of the channel when viewed from above of the column of multiple microchannels (9) can be, for example, in the range of 0.1 to 1000 μm, preferably 1 to 200 μm, and more preferably 10 to 100 μm, and the height of the channel in the cross section perpendicular to the reference plane (S) of the column of multiple microchannels (9) can be, for example, in the range of 0.1 to 1000 μm, preferably 1 to 200 μm, and more preferably 10 to 100 μm. It can be operated within a specified range by flow rate operation, and droplets or bubbles of a size corresponding to the size of the microchannel (9) can be generated. If the size of the microchannel (9) is smaller than the specified size, the number of microchannels (9) of the device can be increased, and the productivity of droplets and bubbles is improved, so it is preferred. If the size of the microchannel (9) is larger than the specified size, the pressure loss during the flow can be reduced, which is preferred. If the size of the microchannel (9) is too small, clogging may occur easily, the pressure loss increases, and it is difficult to flexibly operate the flow rate. On the other hand, if the size of the microchannel (9) is too large, the flow in the channel is easily disturbed, and as a result, it may be difficult to evenly supply the dispersed phase or the continuous phase to multiple microchannels, which damages the monodispersity of the generated droplets. Therefore, the size of the microchannel (9) is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 1000 μm.

[0106] The plurality of microchannels (9) are connected to the terminal ends of the slits (3, 4) in the reference plane (S), and the slits (3, 4) extend from the reference plane (S) in a manner away from the plurality of microchannels (9) in a cross-sectional direction of the plurality of microchannels (9).

[0107] The slit (3, 4) has a linear slit end face in the reference plane (S), and the linear slit end face has a width and an axis (slit length) whose size is larger than the width. The reference plane (S) is a plane on which a plurality of microchannels (9) are arranged in a row on one side, especially on the top. The slit (3, 4) can terminate at the reference plane (S) and extend from the reference plane (S) to the other side, especially downward, in the cross-sectional direction of the reference plane (S) (the slit of the present invention is a three-dimensional slit having a slit-shaped end face in the reference plane (S) and a slit-shaped cross section extending in the direction of the cross-sectional reference plane (S)). The shape of the slit end face is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, linear or annular. It can also be said that the cross-sectional dimension of the slit (3, 4) in the reference plane (S) is the depth (height) of the slit (3, 4).

[0108] The plurality of microchannels (9) are arranged on one side, especially on the upper side, of the reference plane (S). The plurality of microchannels (9) can be connected to the slits (3, 4) at the reference plane (S) and terminated at the reference plane (S). In this case, the plurality of microchannels (9) have connection portions (P) connected to the slits (3, 4) in the reference plane (S).

[0109] Figure 1 Schematically shows an example of a plurality of microchannel (9) rows and slits (dispersed phase supply slits (3)). Figure 1 (a) is a schematic diagram of looking down at the slit (3) from a direction perpendicular to the reference plane (S). Figure 1 (b) is a schematic diagram of a row of multiple microchannels (9) viewed from above in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane (S). Figure 1 (a) may be an end view of the slit (3) at the reference plane (S). Figure 1 (c) means Figure 1 (a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing the relative positional relationship between a slit (3) and a column of multiple microchannels (9) when a microdroplet and bubble generating device having both a slit (3) and a column of multiple microchannels (9) is viewed from a direction perpendicular to a reference plane (S). Figure 1 (d) is viewed from the side Figure 1 (c) Schematic diagram of the device. Figure 1 In (b), the plurality of microchannels (9) have a narrow portion (N) where the width of the channel is narrowed. Figure 1In (c) and (d), the narrow portion (N) is located near the connection point (P) where the slit (3) and the microchannel (9) are connected. Alternatively, the narrow portion (N) is connected to the connection point (P) where the slit (3) and the microchannel (9) are connected, with no space between the two. Figure 1 In (d), the surface where the slit end surface is located is in contact with the lower surface of the microchannel (9), and the surface where the slit end surface and the lower surface of the microchannel (9) are located is the reference plane (S). Figure 1 (d), the dispersed phase (1) is supplied from the slit (3), and the continuous phase (2) is supplied from the left side of the connection part (P) of the microchannel (9). The flow of the continuous phase (2) and the flow of the dispersed phase (1) merged at the connection part (P) where the slit (3) and the microchannel (9) are connected flow into the narrow part (N), and droplets and bubbles are mainly generated at the outlet of the narrow part (N), and are guided to the discharge port connected to the right side of the microchannel (9).

[0110] have Figure 1 The device having the structure described in (a) to (d) can be manufactured by the following method: Figure 1 The slit end face of the slit (3) shown in (a) is bonded to the component having the following Figure 1 The component for forming a row of fine grooves of a plurality of microchannels (9) shown in (b) is set as follows Figure 1 In addition, if the structure shown in (c) and (d) is formed Figure 1 The surface of the slit end face of the component of the slit (3) as shown in (a) is formed as follows Figure 1 The surface of the component has a plurality of microgrooves as shown in (b) (the order of forming the slits and microgrooves may be reversed). Figure 1 Therefore, if a cover is placed on the component, a structure having a slit and a plurality of fine grooves as shown in (c) is formed. Figure 1 In this case, the device comprises a plurality of microchannels (9) and slits (3) as shown in (c) and (d). Figure 1 In (d), the surface of the component having the slit and the array of multiple fine grooves, i.e., the upper surface of the multiple fine grooves, is not the reference plane (S), and the reference plane (S) is the plane joined to the slit at the lower surface of the multiple microchannels (9), i.e., the multiple fine grooves. Therefore, the reference plane (S) in this case is not the surface of the component but a virtual plane.

[0111] The micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) of the present invention has a dispersed phase supply port (6), a continuous phase supply port (7), and a discharge port (8). The dispersed phase supply port (6) is a conveying path for supplying the dispersed phase to a plurality of microchannels (9), and has a connection portion (P) connected to the plurality of microchannels (9). The continuous phase supply port (7) is a conveying path for supplying the continuous phase to a plurality of microchannels (9), and has a connection portion (P) connected to the plurality of microchannels (9). The discharge port (8) is a conveying path for discharging droplets and bubble products generated from a plurality of microchannels (9), and has a connection portion (P) connected to the plurality of microchannels (9).

[0112] In the present invention, at least one slit (hereinafter also referred to as a specific slit) refers to any one or more of the slit (4) for continuous phase supply and the slit (3) for dispersed phase supply, wherein the slit (4) for continuous phase supply and the slit (3) for dispersed phase supply respectively constitute a part of the dispersed phase supply port (6) and the continuous phase supply port (7) and terminate at a connection portion (P) connected to a plurality of microchannels (9).

[0113] In the micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) of the present invention, each micro-channel (9) of a plurality of micro-channels (9) has a micro-channel (9-1) on the first side and a micro-channel (9-2) on the second side on both sides of a connection portion (P) connected to a specific slit (3, 4). The micro-channel (9-1) on the first side is connected to one of a continuous phase supply port (7) and a dispersed phase supply port (6), and the specific slit (3, 4) is connected to the other one of the continuous phase supply port (7) and the dispersed phase supply port (6) that is different from the one. A continuous phase (2) is supplied from the continuous phase supply port (7), and a dispersed phase (1) is supplied from the dispersed phase supply port (6), and the micro-channel (9-2) on the second side is connected to a discharge port (8).

[0114] In the micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) of the present invention, as a connection position connected to a plurality of micro-channels (9), a specific slit is configured to be sandwiched between a dispersed phase supply port (6) or a continuous phase supply port (7) and a discharge port (8). When the specific slit (3, 4) is a continuous phase supply slit (4), it is sandwiched between the dispersed phase supply port (6) and the discharge port (8); when the specific slit (3, 4) is a dispersed phase supply slit (3), it is sandwiched between the continuous phase supply port (7) and the discharge port (8).

[0115] A plurality of microchannels (9) are arranged to connect the terminal of the specific slit (3, 4) and the supply ports (6, 7) and the discharge port (8) on both sides thereof in a plane (reference plane (S)) perpendicular to the specific slit (3, 4) where the terminal of the specific slit (3, 4) exists. The supply ports (6, 7) and the discharge port (8) on both sides of the specific slit (3, 4) refer to the nearest supply ports (6, 7) and the discharge port (8) on both sides of the specific slit (3, 4).

[0116] Furthermore, in the micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) having the above-mentioned structure, the dispersed phase (1) is supplied from the dispersed phase supply port (6), and the continuous phase (2) is supplied from the continuous phase supply port (7), and either the dispersed phase (1) or the continuous phase (2) is distributed to a plurality of micro-channels (9). Here, being distributed to a plurality of micro-channels (9) means that the dispersed phase (1) and / or the continuous phase (2) supplied from the dispersed phase supply port (6) and / or the continuous phase supply port (7) are distributed to a plurality of micro-channels (micro-channels (9-1) on the first side) existing between the dispersed phase supply port (6) and / or the continuous phase supply port (7) and the specific slits (3, 4). Only one of the dispersed phase (1) and the continuous phase (2) is distributed to multiple microchannels, and the other of the dispersed phase (1) and the continuous phase (2) is supplied to specific slits (3, 4), and both the dispersed phase (1) and the continuous phase (2) eventually reach a connection point (P) where the specific slits (3, 4) are connected to multiple microchannels (9).

[0117] In the micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) of the present invention, as described above, a plurality of micro-channels (9) have a first side micro-channel (9-1) and a second side micro-channel (9-2) on both sides of a connection portion (P) connected to a specific slit (3, 4). The first side micro-channel (9-1) is connected to one of a continuous phase supply port (7) and a dispersed phase supply port (6), and the specific slit (3, 4) is connected to the other of the continuous phase supply port (7) and the dispersed phase supply port (6) that is different from the first side. In the second side micro-channel (9-2), the plurality of micro-channels (9) have a narrowing portion (N) in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is locally narrowed at a portion connected to or adjacent to the connection portion (P) connected to the specific slit (3, 4).

[0118] In the present invention, the microchannel (9-2) on the second side has a narrow section (N) adjacent to or adjacent to a connection portion (P) connected to a specific slit (3, 4), that is, substantially continuous with the connection portion (P) (hereinafter, for simplicity, also referred to as "continuous", including adjacent to, that is, substantially continuous) and having a narrowed cross-sectional area of ​​the channel, so that the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) that merge at the connection portion (P) where the microchannel (9) connects to the specific slit (3, 4) can flow into the narrow section (N) without the dispersed phase (1) being completely sheared by the flow of the continuous phase (2) to generate droplets or bubbles, while substantially maintaining the continuous flow of each of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1). In the narrow section (N) that is continuous with the connection portion (P) connected to the microchannel (9) and the specific slit (3, 4), the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is narrowed, so that the flow rate of the flow of the continuous phase (2) and the flow of the dispersed phase (1) is locally increased. In the narrow portion (N), the flow of the continuous phase (2) with increased flow velocity is used as a driving force to shear the dispersed phase (1), thereby generating droplets or bubbles of the dispersed phase (1) in the narrow portion (N). In the present invention, "generating droplets or bubbles in the narrow portion" means generating droplets or bubbles in the narrow portion (N) and near the outlet of the narrow portion (N).

[0119] In the present invention, as a result of generating droplets or bubbles using the narrowed portion (N) as described above, at least the following effects can be obtained.

[0120] i) In the device having a narrow portion (N) of the present invention, in the narrow portion (N) having a smaller cross-sectional area, the dispersed phase (1) is sheared using the accelerated flow of the continuous phase (2) as a driving force to generate droplets or bubbles of the dispersed phase (1). As a result, the size of the droplets or bubbles of the generated dispersed phase (1) can be smaller than that in the case where there is no narrow portion (N), as long as the flow rates of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) are the same, thereby increasing the density (number density) of the droplets or bubbles.

[0121] ii) In addition, in the device of the present invention having a narrow portion (N), the portion of the narrow flow path (narrow portion (N)) that causes pressure loss is minimized, and the pressure loss can be greatly reduced compared to the case where there is no narrow portion (N) and simply a smaller flow path is used. Therefore, as a whole, the device can generate droplets or bubbles with lower pressure loss and lower risk of clogging.

[0122] iii) In addition, in the device having the narrow portion (N) of the present invention, when obtaining droplets or bubbles of a desired size at the same dispersed phase flow rate, droplets or bubbles of a desired size can be obtained at a lower continuous phase flow rate than in the case without the narrow portion (N). As a result, a higher dispersed phase volume ratio can be achieved, the consumption of the continuous phase can be saved, and a column of droplets or bubbles with a higher number density can be generated.

[0123] iv) In addition, in the device of the present invention having the narrow portion (N), the generation site of droplets or bubbles can be migrated from the specific slits (3, 4) to the downstream side of the microchannel (9-2) on the second side, compared with the case without the narrow portion (N). As a result, the effect of disturbing the generation of droplets or bubbles due to irregular micro-concave and convex shapes such as micro-defects and burrs at the corners of the specific slits (3, 4) connecting to the microchannel (9-2) on the second side during processing can be suppressed.

[0124] At the connection point (P) where the plurality of microchannels (9) and the slits (3, 4) are connected, the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) merge, and the continuous phase (2) carries the dispersed phase (1) away, forming a multiphase flow of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) (usually a laminar flow in which the flow of the continuous phase (2) partially surrounds the flow of the dispersed phase (1)), and flows toward the narrow part (N) of the microchannel (9-2) on the second side. If there is no narrow part (N), in the microchannel (9-2) on the second side, the dispersed phase (1) is sheared with the flow of the continuous phase (2) as a driving force, generating droplets or bubbles of the dispersed phase (1). However, if a narrow portion (N) is present in contact with or approximately in contact with (adjacent to) a connection portion (P) connecting a plurality of microchannels (9) and slits (3, 4), the multiphase flow of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) formed at the connection portion (P) flows into the narrow portion (N) without generating droplets or bubbles of the dispersed phase (1), and as a result of the increase in flow velocity in the narrow structure of the narrow portion (N), the dispersed phase (1) is sheared with the flow of the continuous phase (2) as a driving force, and droplets or bubbles of the dispersed phase (1) are generated mainly on the outlet side of the narrow portion (N). When generating droplets or bubbles of the dispersed phase (1) using the narrow portion (N), it is preferred that the multiphase flow of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) formed at the connection portion (P) flows into the narrow portion (N) before generating droplets or bubbles of the dispersed phase (1) in the microchannel (9-2) on the second side.

[0125] The narrowing portion (N) is a portion where the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path is locally narrowed at a specific portion of the microchannel (9-2) on the second side (connected to or adjacent to the above-mentioned connection portion (P)). The shape of the cross section of the narrowing portion (N) is a rectangle, trapezoid, triangle, polygon, semicircle, circle, ellipse, semi-ellipse, etc., and can be selected according to the material of the processing object and the processing means. As long as the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path is locally narrowed compared to the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel (9-2) on the second side, it can be that the width of the flow path when viewed from above of the column of multiple microchannels (9) is narrowed, or the height of the flow path in the cross section perpendicular to the reference plane (S) of the column of multiple microchannels (9) is narrowed, or it can be both. In addition, it is preferred to narrow at the center of the width or height direction of the multiple microchannels (9), but it can also be narrowed at any position.

[0126] The cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow portion (N) may be 1 / 100 to 1 / 1.5 of the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel (9-2) on the second side other than the narrow portion (N), preferably 1 / 10 to 1 / 2, and more preferably 1 / 5 to 1 / 3. Here, the cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow portion (N) is the average value of the cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow portion (N). The cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel between the connection portion (P) and the narrow portion (N) is fine as long as it is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow portion (N), and can be selected based on the same criteria as the microchannels of other parts, but can usually be the same as the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel (9-2) on the second side of the narrow portion (N) opposite to the connection portion (P). Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel (9-2) used as a reference when measuring the cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow portion (N) is the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel (9-2) on the second side of the narrow portion (N) opposite to the connection portion (P). The microchannel (9-2) on the second side is usually a straight line with a constant cross-sectional area. However, when the cross-sectional area changes along the flow direction, the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel (9-2) on the second side near the narrow part (N) is used. For example, the dimension of the microchannel (9-2) in the flow direction, which is used as a reference when measuring the cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow part (N), can be more than twice the width of the slit end face located in the vicinity of the narrow part (N) (the dimension of the flow direction of the microchannel) and further more than three times or five times the length. If the cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow part (N) is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel (9-2) on the second side, especially less than 1 / 15, the effect of setting the narrow part (N) can be obtained, such as further reducing the size of the generated droplets or bubbles, and further increasing the density (number) of the generated droplets or bubbles. If the cross section of the narrow portion (N) is not too small compared to the cross section of the microchannel (9-2) on the second side, and in particular, if it is more than 1 / 100 of the area of ​​the cross section of the microchannel on the second side other than the narrow portion (N), the pressure loss will not become too large, so it is preferred. If the size of the narrow portion is too small relative to the size of the microchannel, the pressure loss from the narrow portion increases, which may cause clogging. In addition, the size of the droplets generated at the narrow portion becomes difficult to control. More specifically, although small droplets close to the cross-sectional size of the narrow portion can be formed, it may be difficult to generate larger droplets close to the cross-sectional size of the microchannel (the front end of the dispersed phase is sheared before growing larger inside the microchannel).

[0127] Based on the above reasons, in one embodiment of the present invention, the square root of the cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow portion (N) may be in the range of 0.1 to 1000 μm, preferably 1 to 100 μm, and more preferably 10 to 50 μm.

[0128] The length of the narrow portion (N) in the flow path direction may be in the range of 0.01 to 10 times, preferably 0.1 to 2 times, and more preferably 0.2 to 1 times, of the square root of the area of ​​the cross-sectional dimension of the microchannel (9-2) on the second side. The area of ​​the cross section of the microchannel (9-2) on the second side is measured as described above. When the length of the narrow portion (N) in the flow path direction is above a certain value, especially when it is above 0.01 times the square root of the area of ​​the cross-sectional dimension of the microchannel (9-2) on the second side, the structure of the narrow portion (N) can be made thicker and stronger, which is preferred. When the length of the narrow portion (N) in the flow path direction is small, especially when it is less than 10 times the square root of the area of ​​the cross-sectional dimension of the microchannel (9-2) on the second side, the size of the narrow portion (N) with a narrower cross-sectional area is small, so the pressure loss of the narrow portion (N) can be reduced, which is preferred. When the length of the narrow part (N) in the flow path direction is too small compared to the cross-sectional size of the microchannel, the narrow part becomes a very thin film-like structure (for example, a narrow part with a length of 1 μm relative to a flow path of 100×100 μm), and such a structure is fragile to the flow of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase, and durability is a concern. On the other hand, if the narrow part is too long, it itself becomes a microchannel and cannot function as a narrow part, and the front end of the dispersed phase flow cannot reach the outlet of the narrow part, and droplets may always be generated in the narrow part before it.

[0129] Based on the above reasons, in one embodiment of the present invention, the length of the narrow portion (N) in the flow channel direction may be in the range of 0.1 to 1000 μm, preferably 1 to 200 μm, and more preferably 10 to 100 μm.

[0130] The narrow portion (N) is connected to or adjacent to the connection portion (P) where multiple microchannels (9) and slits (3, 4) are connected (approximately continuous with the connection portion (P)), which means that the distance from the connection portion (P) to the narrow portion (N) is less than 5 times the square root of the area of ​​the cross section of the microchannel (9) on the second side, preferably less than 2 times, and more preferably less than 1 times (all including zero). Here, the area of ​​the cross section of the narrow portion (N) is also the average value of the cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow portion (N). There is no problem as long as the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel between the connection portion (P) and the narrow portion (N) is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow portion (N), and therefore, it can usually be the same as the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel (9-2) on the second side of the narrow portion (N) opposite to the connection portion (P). Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel (9-2) used as a reference when measuring the cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow portion (N) is the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel (9-2) on the second side of the narrow portion (N) opposite to the connection portion (P). The microchannel (9-2) on the second side is usually a straight line and has a constant cross-sectional area, but when the cross-sectional area changes along the flow direction, the cross-sectional area of ​​the part of the microchannel (9-2) on the second side close to the narrow portion (N) is used. For example, the dimension of the microchannel (9-2) in the flow direction used as a reference when measuring the cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow portion (N) is sufficient as long as it is more than twice the width of the slit end face located close to the narrow portion (N) (the dimension of the microchannel in the flow direction), and further more than three times or five times the length. If the distance from the slit to the narrow portion (N) is too far, the dispersed phase is sheared and becomes droplets before reaching the narrow portion (N). The droplets flow into the narrow portion (N) and, depending on the size of the droplets, may be (unevenly) divided at the narrow portion (N), resulting in damage to the monodispersity of the droplet size. Therefore, it is preferred that the distance from the connecting portion (P) to the narrow portion (N) is less than 5 times the square root of the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel (9) on the second side.

[0131] Based on the above reasons, in one embodiment of the present invention, the distance from the connection point (P) where the plurality of microchannels (9) are connected to the slits (3, 4) to the narrow portion (N) may be less than 1000 μm (including zero), preferably less than 400 μm (including zero), and more preferably less than 200 μm (including zero). The distance from the slits (3, 4) to the narrow portion (N) may be less than a specific length as described above, and may be different in all microchannels in a column of the plurality of microchannels. The distance may be zero, depending on the flow rate conditions, but when the distance exceeds a certain range and becomes larger, droplets or bubbles of the dispersed phase (1) are easily generated before the flow from the slit side enters the narrow portion (N).

[0132] In addition, if a plurality of microchannels (9) and slits (3, 4) are located on the same side of the reference plane (S), when the narrow portion (N) of the microchannel (9) is connected to the slit (3, 4), the narrow portion (N) and the slit (3, 4) become one, and the end of the narrow portion (N) coincides with the following position: the position connected to the connection portion (P) connected to the slit (3, 4). Therefore, at this time, the distance from the connection portion (P) to the narrow portion (N) is zero. However, in the present invention, a plurality of microchannels (9) and slits (3, 4) can be located separately on both sides of the reference plane (S), in which case, when viewed from above the reference plane (S), a portion of the narrow portion (N) can exist overlapping with the connection portion (P). Thus, when a portion of the narrow portion (N) overlaps with the connection portion (P) when viewed from above the reference plane (S), the flow paths of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) are continuous at the connection portion (P). Therefore, in the present invention, the distance from the connection portion (P) to the narrow portion (N) is zero, that is, the narrow portion (N) is deemed to be adjacent to the connection portion (P).

[0133] In the present invention, the width of the slits (3, 4) at the terminal of the reference plane (S) of the slits (3, 4) may be, for example, 1 to 1000 μm, preferably 10 to 500 μm, and more preferably 20 to 200 μm. If the width of the slits (3, 4) is greater than a certain value, the pressure loss can be reduced, which is preferred. If the width of the slits (3, 4) is less than a certain value, the stability of the flow increases, and it is also preferred in terms of forming fine droplets or bubbles. If the width of the slit (3, 4) is too small, clogging may occur easily, the pressure loss may increase, and it may be difficult to flexibly operate the flow rate. If the width of the slit (3, 4) is too large, the flow in the slit and the interface formed between the dispersed phase and the continuous phase may be easily disturbed. As a result, the droplet generation in each microchannel may deviate, thereby damaging the monodispersity of the generated droplets. Therefore, it is preferred that the width of the slit (3, 4) is 1 to 1000 μm at the terminal end at the reference plane (S) of the slit (3, 4).

[0134] In the narrow portion (N), when the dispersed phase (1) is sheared by the flow of the continuous phase (2) as a driving force to generate droplets or bubbles of the dispersed phase (1), the product is recovered from the discharge port (8) connected to the microchannel (9-2) on the second side. The discharge port (8) is connected to the narrow portion (N) of the microchannel (9-2) on the second side at the opposite side of the connection portion (P) where the microchannel (9) and the slits (3, 4) are connected. The portion where the discharge port (8) is connected to the microchannel (9-2) on the second side of the column of multiple microchannels (9) may be an additional slit (5) or a cylindrical hole (5-1), in which case the additional slit (5) or the cylindrical hole (5-1) constitutes a part of the discharge port (8). Alternatively, in a plane having a column of multiple microchannels (9), the microchannels (9) may be used to connect the column of multiple microchannels (9) to the end of a hole-shaped discharge port (8) opening in the plane, thereby recovering the product from the discharge port (8).

[0135] Liquid droplets or bubbles are generated from the connection part (P) and the narrow part (N) where the specific slit (3, 4) is connected to the microchannel (9). The connection part (P) where the specific slit (3, 4) is connected to the microchannels (9) adjacent to the two sides is the part where the specific slit and the microchannels (9-1, 9-2) on the two sides merge, but the position where the microchannels (9-1, 9-2) on the two sides merge is not necessarily the same part of the specific slit (3, 4), and can also be a position offset from each other (refer to Figure 4 Then, the dispersed phase (1) and the continuous phase (2) are supplied to the specific slits (3, 4) and the microchannel (9-1) on one side (the first side) thereof, and the dispersed phase (1) is sheared at the location where the flow path of the dispersed phase (1) and the flow path of the continuous phase (2) merge (the above-mentioned connection location (P)) and the narrow part (N) that is continuous or substantially continuous with the merged location, using the flow of the continuous phase (2) as a driving force, thereby generating droplets or bubbles of the dispersed phase (1), and the product (droplets or bubbles) is recovered from the flow path on the remaining side (the second side) of the microchannel (9).

[0136] Therefore, as described above, the specific slits (3, 4) constitute a part of the dispersed phase supply port (6) or the continuous phase supply port (7), and at the same time, in the composite structure of the connection portion (P) and the narrow portion (N) connected to the microchannels (9) on both sides, the specific slits (3, 4) are elements that have the function of generating droplets or bubbles of the dispersed phase (1) from the dispersed phase (1) and the continuous phase (2).

[0137] In the micro-droplet and bubble generating device of the present invention, the specific slit (dispersed phase or continuous phase supply port) and the supply ports / discharge ports on both sides thereof are not limited to different supply ports / discharge ports, and one or both of the supply ports / discharge ports on the slit and both sides thereof (adjacent on both sides) may be the same supply port / discharge port. In the micro-droplet / bubble generating device of the present invention, the specific slit may be one or more than two. The specific slit being more than two means that, for example, the following example can be cited: the supply port and the discharge port are arranged in the order of <continuous phase supply port - dispersed phase supply port (1) - dispersed phase supply port (2) - discharge port> on the reference plane, the dispersed phase supply port (1) and the dispersed phase supply port (2) are specific slits, and the microchannel (9) connects these supply ports and discharge ports. At this time, one of the two adjacent sides of each of the dispersed phase supply port (1) and the dispersed phase supply port (2) is the same dispersed phase supply port as the specific slit (3, 4). However, both the dispersed phase supply port (1) and the dispersed phase supply port (2) are ultimately sandwiched between the continuous phase supply port and the discharge port. In the above-mentioned example of <continuous phase supply port-dispersed phase supply port (1)-dispersed phase supply port (2)-discharge port>, a narrowing portion (N) is provided on at least one of the dispersed phase supply port (1) side of the dispersed phase supply port (2) and the discharge port side of the dispersed phase supply port (2), in particular, on both sides.

[0138] In the micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) of the present invention, the terminal of the continuous phase supply port (7), the dispersed phase supply port (6), and the discharge port (8) other than the specific slits (3, 4) connected to the micro-channel (9) may also be a slit (referred to as an additional slit). The additional slit is any one or more of the continuous phase supply slit (4), the dispersed phase supply slit (3), and the discharge port (8). Here, the continuous phase supply slit (4), the dispersed phase supply slit (3), and the discharge slit (5) respectively constitute a part of the dispersed phase supply port (6), the continuous phase supply port (7), and the discharge port (8), and the terminal is a connection portion (P) connected to a plurality of micro-channels (9). Therefore, in the micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) of the present invention, the specific slit (3, 4) is at least one, but the number of slits (3, 4, 5) may be greater than the number of specific slits (3, 4). For example, when the dispersed phase supply port (6) is a specific slit, the terminals of the continuous phase supply port (7) and the discharge port (8) can be arbitrarily additional slits. Alternatively, the terminals of the continuous phase supply port (7) and the discharge port (8) can also be arbitrarily cylindrical holes (5-1) or the like.

[0139] In the present invention, when droplets are generated, the liquid forming the dispersed phase (1) and the continuous phase (2) is preferably an organic compound or water. There are no particular restrictions on the organic compound, and preferably include alkanes such as decane and octane, halogenated hydrocarbons such as chloroform, aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene, fatty acids such as oleic acid, etc. In addition, in order to obtain solid or gel-like fine particles, an aqueous phase or an organic phase that can be cured by heat, photopolymerization, etc. can also be used as the dispersed phase (1), and the materials that can be used include, for example, known polymerizable monomers, oligomers or polymers, and preferably include acrylate monomers, styrene monomers, etc.

[0140] When droplets are generated, the combination of the dispersed phase (1) and the continuous phase (2) can generally be an oil-in-water type (O / W type), an oil-in-oil type (O / O type), or an water-in-oil type (W / O type).

[0141] In the present invention, when bubbles are generated, the dispersed phase (1) is a gas and the continuous phase (2) is a liquid consisting of an aqueous phase or an organic phase. The gas is not particularly limited, but preferably includes air, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, and the like.

[0142] The flow rates of the dispersed phase (1) and the continuous phase (2) in each single microchannel (9) also depend on their types, etc., and are usually selected from about 0.001 mL to 10 mL / hour.

[0143] Hereinafter, the fine droplet and bubble generating device (100) of the present invention will be described based on embodiments.

[0144] (Implementation Method 1)

[0145] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) is composed of a plurality of parallel linear micro-grooves array substrates (10) having a rectangular cross-sectional shape and a liquid or gas distribution component (20) (FIG. 2-1 to FIG. 2-3). Referring to FIG. 2-1 (a) and FIG. 2-2 (d), the micro-grooves array substrate (also called micro-channel array) (10) has 16 linear micro-grooves (10-1) having a rectangular cross-sectional shape (width 100 μm, height 100 μm), and the gap between adjacent grooves is 100 μm (FIG. 2-1 (a)). The length of the micro-grooves is 10 mm, and the lengths on both sides of the central axis (C) of the micro-grooves array substrate in the micro-grooves direction are 4.875 mm or more. Each fine groove (10-1) has a narrow portion (N) where the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove narrows at a distance within a range of 125 μm to 175 μm from the central axis (C) of the fine groove array substrate (10) toward one end (the right side of (a) in FIG. 2-1), and the narrow portion (N) has a rectangular cross-section (width 50 μm, height 100 μm) and a length of 50 μm.

[0146] On the other hand, referring to (b) of FIG. 2-1 and (c) of FIG. 2-2, the liquid or gas distribution component (20) is composed of four components (20-1, 20-2, 20-3, 20-4) with a width of 30 mm, a length of 30 mm, and a height of 8 mm. The first component (20-1) at the top has a slit for continuous phase supply (4), a slit for dispersed phase supply (3), a slit for product discharge (5), and a discharge port (8). The second component (20-2) at the second layer from the top has a slit for continuous phase supply (4), a slit for dispersed phase supply (3), and a continuous phase supply port (7). The third component (20-3) at the third layer from the top has a slit for dispersed phase supply (3) and a dispersed phase supply port (6). The fourth component (20-4) at the bottom is a flat plate for closing the through hole formed at the bottom by the slit for dispersed phase supply (3) of the third component (20-3). FIG2-2 (c) shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the combination of the first to fourth components of the liquid or gas distribution component (20). The supplied dispersed phase (1) and continuous phase (2) flow from the lower layer through the slit-shaped flow paths (3, 4) inside the component (20) and are supplied to the upper part of the liquid or gas distribution component (20). That is, in the third component (20-3), the dispersed phase (1) is supplied from the dispersed phase supply port (6) to the dispersed phase supply slit (3), and in the second component (20-2), the continuous phase (2) is supplied from the continuous phase supply port (7) to the continuous phase supply slit (4), and the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) are respectively sent upward in each slit (3, 4). Here, in order to emphasize the shape of the slit, the parts other than the slit are represented as the dispersed phase supply port (6), the continuous phase supply port (7) and the discharge port (8), but in the present disclosure, as mentioned above, the slit is functionally a part of the dispersed phase supply port (6), the continuous phase supply port (7) or the discharge port (8) (the same is true in the following schemes, but it is not repeated).

[0147] The microgroove array substrate (10) is aligned with the three slits on the liquid or gas distribution component (20), namely, the continuous phase supply slit (4), the dispersed phase supply slit (3) and the product discharge slit (5). FIG2-2 (d) shows a diagram of the structure formed by the combination viewed from above the microgroove array substrate (10). The long side width of the slit terminal (slit end face) is 5 mm and the short side width is 250 μm. The spacing between the slits (center-to-center distance) is 3 mm, and the slits are 2.75 mm apart. There is a narrow portion (N) with a width of 50 μm and a length of 50 μm at an interval of 0 to 50 μm from the dispersed phase supply slit (3) to the product discharge slit (5). In (d) of Figure 2-2, the continuous phase (2) is supplied to the upper slit (4), the dispersed phase (1) is supplied to the central slit (3), the continuous phase (2) is supplied to the microchannel (9) formed by the fine groove (10-1), and the product generated by the connection part (P) and the narrow part (N) connecting the dispersed phase supply slit (3) and the microchannel (9) is discharged from the lower slit (5) through the microchannel (9).

[0148] (e) and (f) of FIG. 2-3 show the generation of droplets or bubbles in the device (100). At the connection portion (P) where the dispersed phase supply slit (3) is connected to the microchannel (9), the dispersed phase (1) is carried away by the flow of the continuous phase (2), and the flows of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) enter the narrowed portion (N) while maintaining a continuous state. In the narrowed portion (N) where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is narrowed, the flow velocities of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) increase. The dispersed phase (1) is sheared at the portion of the channel where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is expanded at the outlet of the narrowed portion (N) by the flow of the continuous phase (2) with an increased flow rate. As a result, when the flow conditions of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) are the same, droplets or bubbles of small size and high density (number) are generated compared to the case where there is no narrowed portion (N). The product is discharged from the discharge port (8) through the discharge slit (5).

[0149] (Implementation Method 2)

[0150] Embodiment 2 of the present invention is the same as embodiment 1, but is different in that the continuous phase supply slit (4) and the dispersed phase supply slit (3) of the liquid or gas distribution component (20) are arranged oppositely (FIG. 3-1 to FIG. 3-2). In embodiment 2, the microgroove array substrate (10) is the same as that of embodiment 1 (FIG. 3-1 (b)). The liquid or gas distribution component (20) is composed of four components (20-1, 20-2, 20-3, 20-4). Referring to FIG. 3-1 (b), the top first component (20-1) has a continuous phase supply slit (4), a dispersed phase supply slit (3), a product discharge slit (5), and a discharge port (8). The second component (20-2) on the second layer from the top has a continuous phase supply slit (4), a dispersed phase supply slit (3), and a dispersed phase supply port (6). The third component (20-3) of the third layer from the top has a slit (4) for supplying a continuous phase and a continuous phase supply port (7). The fourth component (20-4) of the lowest layer is a flat plate (Fig. 3-1 (a)) for closing the through hole formed at the bottom by the slit (4) for supplying a continuous phase of the third component (20-3). Fig. 3-1 (a) shows a sectional stereoscopic view of the combination of the first to fourth components of the liquid or gas distribution component (20). The supplied dispersed phase (1) and continuous phase (2) flow from the lower layer through the slit and are supplied to the upper part of the liquid or gas distribution component (20). That is, the dispersed phase (1) is supplied from the dispersed phase supply port (6) to the dispersed phase supply slit (3) in the second component (20-2), and the continuous phase (2) is supplied from the continuous phase supply port (7) to the continuous phase supply slit (4) in the third component (20-3), and the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) are respectively sent upward in each slit.

[0151] The microgroove array substrate (10) is aligned with the three slits on the liquid or gas distribution component (20), namely, the continuous phase supply slit (4), the dispersed phase supply slit (3) and the discharge slit (5). FIG3-1 (b) shows a diagram of the structure formed by the combination viewed from above the microgroove array substrate (10). The long side width of the slit terminal is 5 mm, the short side width is 250 μm, the spacing between the slits (center-to-center distance) is 3 mm, and the slits are separated by 2.75 mm. The microgroove (10-1) has a narrow portion (N) on the product discharge slit (5) side close to the continuous phase supply slit (4). In (b) of Figure 3-1, the dispersed phase (1) is supplied to the upper slit (3), the continuous phase (2) is supplied to the central slit (4), and the dispersed phase (1) is supplied to the microchannel (9) formed by the fine groove (10-1). Droplets or bubbles are generated in the connection part (P) and the narrow part (N) where the continuous phase supply slit (4) is connected to the microchannel (9), and the generated product is discharged from the lower slit (5) via the microchannel (9).

[0152] (c) and (d) of FIG. 3-2 show the generation of droplets or bubbles in the device. In the connection portion (P) where the continuous phase supply slit (4) is connected to the microchannel (9), the dispersed phase (1) is carried away by the flow of the continuous phase (2), and the flows of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) each maintain a continuous state and enter the narrow portion (N). In the narrow portion (N) where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is narrowed, the flow velocities of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) increase. The dispersed phase (1) is sheared at the portion of the channel where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is expanded at the outlet of the narrow portion (N) by the flow of the continuous phase (2) with an increased flow rate. As a result, when the flow conditions of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) are the same, droplets or bubbles of small size and high density (number) are generated compared with the case where there is no narrow portion (N). The product is discharged from the discharge port (8) through the discharge slit (5).

[0153] Figure 4 2 shows the groove shape of a member having a fine groove (10-1) to be joined to a liquid or gas distributing member (20) in Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention. Figure 4 (a) is a case where three slits (dashed lines) are vertically bridged by a row of linear microchannels (solid lines). Figure 4 (b) is a case where three slits (dashed lines) are bridged in an obliquely intersecting manner using a row of linear microchannels (solid lines). Figure 4 (c) shows a case where the width of the microchannel (solid line) that bridges three slits is changed continuously. Alternatively, the width of the microchannel may be changed discontinuously. Figure 4(d) to (f) are cases where the microchannel (solid line) connecting the sandwiched slit (dashed line) and the slits (dashed lines) on both sides is divided. Figure 4 (d) is the case where the position and size are consistent. Figure 4 (e) is the case of position deviation, Figure 4 (f) is the case where the quantity correspondence is not 1:1. In addition, Figure 4 (g) shows a state where the rows of bridged microchannels (solid lines) are partially joined to each other. Figure 4 Features (a) to (g) may be combined arbitrarily.

[0154] In embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, the fine groove array substrate (10) is manufactured as follows: for example, a pattern is transferred from a mold made using SU-8 (Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.) as a negative photoresist to a silicone resin (PDMS: polydimethylsiloxane) on a Si substrate. The liquid or gas distribution component (20) can be manufactured, for example, by machining a stainless steel material (SUS304). In addition, the slit-shaped through-holes of the liquid or gas distribution component (20) can be manufactured, for example, by wire discharge machining.

[0155] In embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, W / O droplets are generated by, for example, conveying a dispersed phase such as pure water and a continuous phase such as fluorinated oil to which a surfactant is added at 1 wt%. The conveying of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase can be performed using, for example, a glass syringe and a syringe pump. In the observation of the generation of droplets and bubbles and the measurement of the size of the generated droplets or bubbles, it is preferred to use, for example, an upright optical microscope and a high-speed camera in combination.

[0156] (Implementation 3)

[0157] Embodiment 3 of the present invention is similar to embodiment 1, but in embodiment 3, a plurality of rows of microchannels (9) are formed on the side of a liquid or gas distribution component (21), and the component equivalent to the microgroove array substrate (10) of embodiment 1 is only a cover (11) for sealing the slits (3, 4, 5) of the liquid or gas distribution component (21) and the microgroove (11-1).

[0158] In the third embodiment of the present invention, the liquid or gas distributing member (21) is composed of four components (21-1, 21-2, 21-3, 21-4). Figure 5). The first component (21-1) at the top has a continuous phase supply slit (4), a dispersed phase supply slit (3), a product discharge slit (5), an array of fine grooves (11-1) bridging the slits, and a discharge port (8) connected to the product discharge slit (5). The fine groove (11-1) has a narrow portion (N) slightly spaced apart from the dispersed phase supply slit (3) on the product discharge slit (5) side of the dispersed phase supply slit (3). The second component (21-2) at the second layer from the top has a continuous phase supply slit (4), a dispersed phase supply slit (3), and a continuous phase supply port (7). The third component (21-3) at the third layer from the top has a dispersed phase supply slit (3) and a dispersed phase supply port (6). The fourth member (21-4) at the bottom is a flat plate for closing the through hole formed at the bottom by the dispersed phase supply slit (3) of the third member (21-3). Figure 5 (a) shows a cross-sectional stereoscopic view of the combination of the first to fourth components of the liquid or gas distribution component (21). The supplied dispersed phase (1) and continuous phase (2) flow from the lower layer through the slits and are supplied to the upper part of the liquid or gas distribution component (21). That is, in the second component (21-2), the continuous phase (2) is supplied from the continuous phase supply port (7) to the continuous phase supply slit (4), and in the third component (21-3), the dispersed phase (1) is supplied from the dispersed phase supply port (6) to the dispersed phase supply slit (3), and the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) are respectively sent upward in each slit.

[0159] Figure 5 (b) shows a diagram of a structure formed by joining the cover (11) as viewed from above, wherein the cover (11) is used to seal three slits on the liquid or gas distribution component (21), namely, the continuous phase supply slit (4), the dispersed phase supply slit (3), and the discharge slit (5) and the fine groove (11-1). Figure 5 In (b), a continuous phase (2) is supplied to the upper slit (4), a dispersed phase (1) is supplied to the central slit (3), and a continuous phase (2) is supplied to a microchannel (9) formed by a microgroove (11-1). The product generated at the connection portion (P) and the narrow portion (N) where the dispersed phase supply slit (3) is connected to the microchannel (9) is discharged from the lower slit (5) via the microchannel (9). Figure 5-2 (c) indicates the situation where droplets or bubbles are generated in the device. In the connection portion (P) where the dispersed phase supply slit (3) is connected to the microchannel (9), the dispersed phase (1) is carried away by the flow of the continuous phase (2), and the flows of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) each maintain a continuous state and enter the narrow portion (N). In the narrow portion (N) where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is narrowed, the flow velocities of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) increase. The dispersed phase (1) is sheared at the location where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is expanded at the outlet of the narrow portion (N) by the flow of the continuous phase (2) with an increased flow rate. As a result, when the flow conditions of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) are the same, small and high-density (number) droplets or bubbles are generated compared to the case where there is no narrow portion (N). The product is discharged from the discharge port (8) through the discharge slit (5).

[0160] (Implementation 4)

[0161] Embodiment 4 of the present invention is the same as embodiment 3, but is different in that the continuous phase supply slit (4) and the dispersed phase supply slit (3) in the liquid or gas distribution member (21) are arranged oppositely. The relationship between embodiment 4 and embodiment 3 is the same as the relationship between embodiment 2 and embodiment 1, and the detailed description of embodiment 4 is not repeated.

[0162] In embodiments 3 to 4 of the present invention, the sealing cover (11) is preferably made of a transparent member such as silicone resin (PDMS: polydimethylsiloxane), acrylic resin, glass, etc. The liquid or gas distribution component (21) is made, for example, by machining a stainless steel material (SUS304). In addition, the slit-shaped through hole of the liquid or gas distribution component (20) can be made, for example, by wire discharge machining. In addition, the fine grooves that bridge the slits can be made by mechanical cutting, laser processing, etching, etc.

[0163] In embodiments 3 to 4 of the present invention, W / O droplets are generated by, for example, conveying a dispersed phase such as pure water and a continuous phase such as fluorinated oil to which a surfactant is added at 1 wt%. The conveying of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase can be performed using, for example, a glass syringe and a syringe pump. In the observation of the generation of droplets and bubbles and the measurement of the size of the generated droplets or bubbles, it is preferred to use, for example, an upright optical microscope and a high-speed camera in combination.

[0164] (Implementation method 5)

[0165] In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the liquid or gas distribution component (22) is composed of three components (22-1, 22-2, 22-3) (Figures 6-1 and 6-2). The liquid or gas distribution component (22) includes: a first component (22-1) disposed at the top of a substrate (12) having a fine groove (12-1) and having a continuous phase supply port (7), a second component (22-2) having a dispersed phase supply port (6) and forming an annular slit (4) for supplying a continuous phase (2) by combining with the first component (22-1), and a third component (22-3) having a central cylindrical hole (5-1) for product discharge and a discharge port (8) by combining with the second component (22-2) (Figure 6-1). FIG6-1 (a) shows a cross-sectional stereoscopic view of the combination of the first to third components of the liquid or gas distribution part 22. The supplied dispersed phase (1) and continuous phase (2) flow from the lower layer through the annular slits (3, 4) and are supplied to the upper part of the liquid or gas distribution part (22). That is, in the second component (22-2), the dispersed phase (1) is supplied from the dispersed phase supply port (6) to the annular slit (3) for dispersed phase supply, and in the first component (22-1), the continuous phase (2) is supplied from the continuous phase supply port (7) to the annular slit (4) for continuous phase supply, and the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) are respectively sent upward in each slit. Here, in order to emphasize the shapes of the annular slits (3, 4) and the cylindrical hole (5-1), the parts other than the annular slits (3, 4) and the cylindrical hole (5-1) are represented as dispersed phase supply ports (6), continuous phase supply ports (7) and discharge ports (8), but in the present disclosure, as described above, the annular slits (3, 4) and the cylindrical hole (5-1) are functionally part of the dispersed phase supply ports (6), the continuous phase supply ports (7) or the discharge ports (8) (In the following embodiments, the relationship between the annular slits and the cylindrical holes and the dispersed phase supply ports, the continuous phase supply ports and the discharge ports is the same, but is not recorded repeatedly.).

[0166] Fig. 6-1 (b) shows a structure in which two slits (i.e., the continuous phase supply slit (4) and the dispersed phase supply slit (3)) on the liquid or gas distribution member (22) and a cylindrical hole (5-1) as a part of the discharge port (8) are joined to a member (12) having a fine groove (12-1). The fine groove (12-1) has a narrow portion (N) on the product discharge port (8) side close to the dispersed phase supply slit (3). In FIG. 6-1 (b), the continuous phase (2) is supplied to the outer annular slit (4), the dispersed phase (1) is supplied to the inner slit (3), and the continuous phase (2) is supplied to the microchannel (9) formed by the fine groove (12-1). The product generated in the connection part (P) and the narrow part (N) where the dispersed phase supply slit (3) and the microchannel (9) are connected is discharged from the central discharge cylindrical hole (5-1) through the microchannel (9). FIG. 6-2 (c) shows the situation where droplets or bubbles are generated in the device. In the connection part (P) where the dispersed phase supply slit (3) is connected to the microchannel (9), the dispersed phase (1) is carried away by the flow of the continuous phase (2), and the flows of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) enter the narrow part (N) while maintaining a continuous state. In the narrow part (N) where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is narrowed, the flow velocities of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) increase. The dispersed phase (1) is sheared at the part of the channel where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is expanded at the outlet of the narrow part (N) by the flow of the continuous phase (2) with an increased flow velocity. As a result, when the flow conditions of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) are the same, small and high-density (number) droplets or bubbles are generated compared with the case where there is no narrow part (N). The product is discharged from the discharge port (8) through the discharge cylindrical hole (5-1).

[0167] (Implementation 6)

[0168] Embodiment 6 of the present invention is the same as embodiment 5, but in the liquid or gas distribution component (22), the positions of the two annular slits (i.e., the continuous phase supply slit (4) and the dispersed phase supply slit (3)) are opposite, the dispersed phase supply slit (3) is located on the outside, and the continuous phase supply slit (4) is located on the inside (the drawings for embodiment 6 are the same as Figures 6-1 and 6-2 and are omitted). In embodiment 6 of the present invention, the liquid or gas distribution component (22) is composed of three components. The liquid or gas distribution component (22) comprises: a first member (22-1) disposed at the top of a member (12) having a fine groove (12-1) and having a dispersed phase supply port (6), a second member (22-2) having a continuous phase supply port (7) and forming an annular slit (3) for supplying the dispersed phase (1) by combining with the first member (22-1), and a third member (22-3) having a central cylindrical hole (5-1) for product discharge and a discharge port (8) by combining with the second member (22-2) to form an annular slit (4) for supplying the continuous phase (2). The dispersed phase (1) and the continuous phase (2) supplied flow from the lower layer through the annular slits (3, 4) and are supplied to the upper part of the liquid or gas distribution component (22). That is, the dispersed phase (1) is supplied from the dispersed phase supply port (6) in the first component (22-1) to the annular slit (3) for dispersed phase supply, and the continuous phase (2) is supplied from the continuous phase supply port (7) to the annular slit (4) for continuous phase supply in the second component, and the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) are respectively sent upward in each slit.

[0169] In a micro-droplet and bubble generating device (100) formed by joining two slits (i.e., a continuous phase supply slit (4) and a dispersed phase supply slit (3)) and a cylindrical hole (5-1) on a liquid or gas distribution component (22) to a component (12) having a microgroove (12-1), a dispersed phase (1) is supplied to the outer annular slit (3), a continuous phase (2) is supplied to the inner slit (4), and a dispersed phase (1) is supplied to a microchannel (9) formed by the microchannel (12-1), and a product generated in a connection portion (P) and a narrow portion (N) where the continuous phase supply slit (4) and the microchannel (9) are connected is discharged from a central discharge cylindrical hole (5-1) via the microchannel (9).

[0170] In the connection part (P) where the continuous phase supply slit (4) is connected to the microchannel (9), the dispersed phase (1) is carried away by the flow of the continuous phase (2), and the flows of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) enter the narrow part (N) while maintaining a continuous state. In the narrow part (N) where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is narrowed, the flow velocities of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) increase. The flow of the continuous phase (2) with increased flow velocity shears the dispersed phase (1) at the outlet of the narrow part (N) at the part where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is expanded. As a result, when the flow conditions of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) are the same, smaller and more dense (number) droplets or bubbles are generated compared with the case where there is no narrow part (N). The product is discharged from the discharge port (8) through the discharge cylindrical hole (5-1).

[0171] (Implementation 7)

[0172] In the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the liquid or gas distributing member (23) is composed of three components (23-1, 23-2, 23-3). Figure 7 ). The liquid or gas distribution component (23) is arranged at the lower part of the cover (13) of the flat plate for sealing the slits (3, 4), the cylindrical hole (5-1) and the fine groove (13-1) having a narrow portion (N). The liquid or gas distribution component (23) comprises: a first component (23-1) at the top having a continuous phase supply port (7), a second component (23-2) having a dispersed phase supply port (6) and forming a circular annular slit (4) for supplying a continuous phase (2) by combining with the first component (23-1), and a third component (23-3) having a circular annular slit (3) for supplying a dispersed phase (1) by combining with the second component (23-2) and having a cylindrical hole (5-1) for product discharge in the center. In addition, a fine groove (13-1) is processed between the annular slits (4, 3) formed by combining three components (23-3) and between the annular slit (5) and the cylindrical hole (5-1). The fine groove (13-1) has a narrow portion (N) on the product discharge port (8) side close to the annular slit (3) for supplying the dispersed phase.

[0173] exist Figure 7The lower part of (a) shows a cross-sectional stereoscopic view of a liquid or gas distribution component (23) composed of the first to third components (23-1, 23-2, 23-3). The supplied dispersed phase (1) and continuous phase (2) flow from the lower layer through the annular slits (3, 4) and are supplied to the upper part of the liquid or gas distribution component (22). That is, in the second component (23-2), the dispersed phase (1) is supplied from the dispersed phase supply port (6) to the annular slit (3) for dispersed phase supply, and in the first component (23-1), the continuous phase (2) is supplied from the continuous phase supply port (7) to the annular slit (4) for continuous phase supply, and the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) are respectively sent upward in each slit (3, 4).

[0174] Figure 7 (b) shows a structure in which two slits (i.e., the continuous phase supply slit (4) and the dispersed phase supply slit (3)) on the liquid or gas distribution component (23), the discharge cylindrical hole (5-1) and the fine groove (13-1) are joined to a flat plate cover (13) for sealing. Figure 7 In (b), the continuous phase (2) is supplied to the outer annular slit (4), the dispersed phase (1) is supplied to the inner slit (3), and the continuous phase (2) is supplied to the microchannel (9) formed by the microgroove (13-1). The product generated in the connection part (P) and the narrow part (N) where the dispersed phase supply slit (3) and the microchannel (9) are connected is recovered from the central discharge cylindrical hole (5-1) via the microchannel (9). The situation in which droplets or bubbles are generated in the device is the same as in (e) and (f) of Figure 2-3. In the connection part (P) where the dispersed phase supply slit (3) is connected to the microchannel (9), the dispersed phase (1) is carried away by the flow of the continuous phase (2), and the flows of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) enter the narrow part (N) while maintaining a continuous state. In the narrow part (N) where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is narrowed, the flow velocities of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) increase. The dispersed phase (1) is sheared at the part of the channel where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is expanded at the outlet of the narrow part (N) by the flow of the continuous phase (2) with an increased flow velocity. As a result, when the flow conditions of the continuous phase (2) and the dispersed phase (1) are the same, small and high-density (number) droplets or bubbles are generated compared with the case where there is no narrow part (N). The product is discharged from the discharge port (8) through the discharge cylindrical hole (5-1).

[0175] (Implementation 8)

[0176] Embodiment 8 of the present invention is the same as embodiment 7, but is different in that the continuous phase supply slit (4) and the dispersed phase supply slit (3) in the liquid or gas distribution member (23) are arranged oppositely. The relationship between embodiment 8 and embodiment 7 is the same as the relationship between embodiment 6 and embodiment 5, and the detailed description of embodiment 8 is not repeated.

[0177] In embodiment 9 of the present invention, four components are used to form a liquid or gas distribution part (200) in such a way that the central cylindrical hole of the device used in the above-mentioned embodiments 5 to 6 is formed into a circular annular slit. By bonding it to a part having fine grooves (fine groove array substrate), it can also be used to generate droplets or bubbles.

[0178] In embodiment 10 of the present invention, four components are used to form a liquid or gas distribution part (200) in such a way that the central cylindrical hole of the device used in the above-mentioned embodiments 7 to 8 is formed into a circular annular slit, and by bonding it to a sealing substrate, it can also be used to generate droplets or bubbles.

[0179] Example

[0180] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in further detail by way of examples.

[0181] Example 1

[0182] A droplet generation device consisting of a parallelized linear microfluidic substrate (microgroove array substrate) with a rectangular cross-sectional shape and a liquid distribution component was designed, manufactured, and used (Figures 2-1 to 2-3). The microfluidic substrate is composed of 16 linear microfluidic channels with a rectangular cross-section (width 100μm, height 100μm) and a length of 10mm. The gap between the channels is 100μm, and the linear microfluidic channel is provided with a narrow portion with a rectangular cross-section (width 50μm, height 100μm) and a length of 50μm at a distance of 125 to 175μm from the center of the microgroove array substrate in the longitudinal direction to one end (Figure 2-1 (a)). On the other hand, the liquid distribution component is composed of a stack of four components with a width of 30mm, a length of 30mm, and a height of 8mm (Figure 2-2 (b)). The uppermost component has a total of three slits, namely, a continuous phase supply slit, a dispersed phase supply slit, and a product discharge (liquid recovery) slit, and a side discharge port connected to the product discharge (liquid recovery) slit. The width of each slit is 250 μm, the length is 5 mm, and the spacing between each slit is 3 mm (Figure 2-2 (c)). The second-layer component from the top has a continuous phase supply slit, a dispersed phase supply slit, and a side continuous phase supply port connected to the continuous phase supply slit, and seals the liquid recovery slit of the component directly above. The third component of the third layer has a dispersed phase supply slit and a side dispersed phase supply port connected to the dispersed phase supply slit, and seals the continuous phase supply slit of the component directly above. The lowermost component seals the dispersed phase supply slit of the component directly above. Figure 2-2 (c) shows a cross-sectional view of the four components of the liquid distribution part when combined. The supplied dispersed phase and continuous phase flow from the lower layer through the slit flow path and are supplied to the upper portion of the distribution member.

[0183] (d) of Figure 2-2 shows a schematic diagram of a structure formed by aligning and joining the microfluidic substrate and the three slits on the liquid distribution component when viewed from the upper side of the device. Here, the dispersed phase is supplied to the central slit flow path, the continuous phase is supplied to the upper slit flow path, and the product is recovered in the lower slit flow path. The narrow portion is formed with a gap of 0 to 50 μm from the slit flow path for supplying the dispersed phase to the slit side for liquid recovery. (e) and (f) of Figure 2-3 are schematic diagrams showing the situation of generating droplets in a microfluidic channel having a narrow portion.

[0184] The microfluidic substrate is produced by transferring a pattern from a 100 μm high mold made of SU-8 (Nippon Kayaku) as a negative photoresist to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) on a Si substrate. Silpot184 (Dow Corning Toray) is used as a PDMS raw material. The four components of the liquid distribution part are produced by machining a stainless steel material (SUS304). In addition, the slit-shaped through holes of the liquid distribution part (20) are produced by wire discharge machining. When supplying a continuous phase and a dispersed phase to the flow path distribution part, in order to prevent leakage from the bonding surface between the components of the liquid distribution part, PDMS is coated on the bonding surface and heated at 120°C to solidify it.

[0185] Corn oil (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) containing a surfactant (SY-Glyster CRS-75, Sakamoto Pharmaceutical Industries, 1 wt%) was used as the continuous phase for the sample introduction, and pure water was used as the dispersed phase. A 10 ml glass syringe (1000 series, Hamilton, USA) and a syringe pump (KDS200, KD Scientific, USA) were used to deliver liquid to the liquid distribution component. In order to observe the formation of droplets in the microchannel, an upright microscope (BX-51, Olympus) and a high-speed camera (Fastcam-1024PCI, Photron) were used in combination.

[0186] Figure 8 (a) represents the continuous phase flow rate (Q c ) is set to 20 mL / h, the dispersed phase flow rate (Q d ) was set to 10 mL / h. W / O droplets were observed to be generated at the junction of the microchannel and the slit for dispersed phase supply. Near the center of the slit, the number of droplets generated per microchannel per second was about 370. In addition, the average diameter of the droplets generated was 96 μm, and the coefficient of variation (CV value) was 6.3% ( Figure 8 (b)).

[0187] Example 2

[0188] The experiment was conducted using the same experimental apparatus as in Example 1 under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the continuous phase flow rate was set to 10 mL / h. Fig. 9 The figure shows the W / O droplet generation in the center of the slit and the distribution of the generated droplet size. The number of droplets generated per microchannel per second is about 250. The average diameter of the droplets obtained is 110 μm, and the coefficient of variation is 2.6%.

[0189] Comparative Example 1

[0190] The experiment was conducted using the same experimental apparatus and conditions as in Example 1, except that a gas distributing member that was a microchannel without a narrow portion was used. Fig.10 The figure shows the W / O droplet generation in the center of the slit and the distribution of the generated droplet size. The number of droplets generated per microchannel per second is about 220. The average diameter of the droplets obtained is 115 μm, and the coefficient of variation is 4.2%.

[0191] If Figure 8 (Example 1) and Fig.10 By comparing (Comparative Example 1), it can be confirmed that when there is a narrow portion, the average diameter of the generated droplets becomes smaller and the density (number) becomes higher than when there is no narrow portion, when the continuous phase flow rate and the dispersed phase flow rate are the same.

[0192] In addition, if Fig. 9 (Example 2) Fig.10 By comparing with (Comparative Example 1), it can be confirmed that when the narrow portion of Example 2 is provided, the continuous phase flow rate required to make the average diameter of the generated droplets the same under the same dispersed phase flow rate can be smaller than the case of Comparative Example 1 without a narrow portion.

[0193] Industrial Applicability

[0194] According to the present invention, a micro-droplet or bubble generating device (100) is provided, which does not require separate through holes corresponding to each droplet generating flow path to connect the liquid distribution flow path and each droplet generating flow path, can generate droplets and bubbles of smaller size, and can generate micro-droplets or bubbles with lower pressure loss and lower risk of clogging, and can be applied to various fields represented by chemical and biochemical analysis.

[0195] Description of Reference Numerals

[0196] 1. Dispersed phase; 2. Continuous phase; 3. Slit for supplying dispersed phase; 4. Slit for supplying continuous phase; 5. Slit for discharging (microdroplets, bubbles); 5-1. Cylindrical hole portion of (microdroplet, bubble) discharge port; 6. Dispersed phase supply port; 7. Continuous phase supply port; 8. (microdroplet, bubble) discharge port; 9. Microchannel; S. Reference plane; N. Narrowing portion; P. Connection portion where microchannel and slit are connected; 100. Microdroplet, bubble generating device; 10. Microgroove array Substrate (microchannel array); 10-1, microgroove; 11, sealing cover; 11-1, microgroove; 12, substrate with microgroove; 12-1, microgroove; 13, sealing cover; 13-1, microgroove; 15-3, annular slit; 20, liquid or gas distribution component; 20-1, component constituting the liquid or gas distribution component (first component); 20-2, component constituting the liquid or gas distribution component (second component); 20-3, component constituting the liquid or gas Components of a distribution component (third component); 20-4, components constituting a liquid or gas distribution component (fourth component); 21, a liquid or gas distribution component; 21-1, components constituting a liquid or gas distribution component (first component); 21-2, components constituting a liquid or gas distribution component (second component); 21-3, components constituting a liquid or gas distribution component (third component); 22, a liquid or gas distribution component; 22-1, components constituting a liquid or gas distribution component (first component); 22-2, components constituting a liquid or gas distribution component (second component); 22-3, components constituting a liquid or gas distribution component (third component); 23, a liquid or gas distribution component; 23-1, components constituting a liquid or gas distribution component (first component); 23-2, components constituting a liquid or gas distribution component (second component); 23-3, components constituting a liquid or gas distribution component (third component).

Claims

1. A micro-droplet and bubble generating device, wherein: The micro-droplet and bubble generating device comprises a plurality of micro-channel rows and a first slit. The plurality of microchannels are connected to the terminal end of the first slit in the reference plane, The plurality of microchannels include a first side microchannel and a second side microchannel on both sides of a connection portion connected to the first slit, respectively. The microchannel on the first side is connected to one of a continuous phase supply port and a dispersed phase supply port, and the first slit is connected to the continuous phase supply port or the dispersed phase supply port which is different from the one. The microchannel on the second side is connected to the discharge port, In the microchannels on the second side, the plurality of microchannels have a narrowing portion where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is locally narrowed at a portion connected to or adjacent to a connection portion connected to the first slit, and a distance from the connection portion where the plurality of microchannels are connected to the first slit to the narrowing portion is less than or equal to 5 times the square root of the area of ​​the cross section of the microchannel on the second side, including zero, The cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow portion is within the range of 1 / 10 to 1 / 2 of the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel on the second side, and the length of the narrow portion in the flow channel direction is within the range of 0.1 to 10 times the square root of the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel on the second side.

2. The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The length of the narrow portion in the flow channel direction is within a range of 1 to 200 μm.

3. The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to claim 1, wherein: A distance from the connection site where the plurality of microchannels are connected to the first slit to the narrow portion is 1000 μm or less including zero.

4. The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The micro-droplet and bubble generating device satisfies at least one of the following a and b: a: the continuous phase supply port or the dispersed phase supply port connected to the microchannel on the first side includes a second slit, and a terminal end of the second slit is connected to the plurality of microchannels; b: The discharge port includes a third slit, and a terminal end of the third slit is connected to the plurality of microchannels.

5. The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The discharge port includes a cylindrical hole, and the microchannel on the second side of the plurality of microchannels is connected to the cylindrical hole.

6. The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The inner walls of the plurality of microchannels are composed of a hydrophobic surface, the dispersed phase is an aqueous phase, and the continuous phase is an organic phase.

7. The micro-droplet and bubble generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The inner walls of the plurality of microchannels are composed of a hydrophilic surface, the dispersed phase is an organic phase, and the continuous phase is an aqueous phase.

8. A method for generating micro-droplets and bubbles, the method using the following micro-droplet and bubble generating device, The micro-droplet and bubble generating device comprises a plurality of micro-channel rows and a first slit. The plurality of microchannels are connected to the terminal end of the first slit in the reference plane, The plurality of microchannels include a first side microchannel and a second side microchannel on both sides of a connection portion connected to the first slit, respectively. The first slit is connected to one of a continuous phase supply port and a dispersed phase supply port, and a continuous phase supply port or a dispersed phase supply port other than the one is connected to the microchannel on the first side. The microchannel on the second side is connected to the discharge port, In the method for generating microdroplets and bubbles, In the microchannels on the second side, the plurality of microchannels have a narrowing portion where the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is locally narrowed at a portion connected to or adjacent to a connection portion connected to the first slit, and a distance from the connection portion where the plurality of microchannels are connected to the first slit to the narrowing portion is less than or equal to 5 times the square root of the area of ​​the cross section of the microchannel on the second side, including zero, The cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow portion is within a range of 1 / 10 to 1 / 2 of the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel on the second side, and the length of the narrow portion in the flow channel direction is within a range of 0.1 to 10 times the square root of the cross-sectional area of ​​the microchannel on the second side. The continuous phase and the dispersed phase that merge at the connection portion where the multiple microchannels are connected to the first slit flow into the narrow portion, and at the narrow portion, the dispersed phase is sheared using the flow of the continuous phase as a driving force to generate droplets or bubbles of the dispersed phase, and the product is recovered from the discharge port.

9. The method for generating microdroplets and bubbles according to claim 8, wherein: The length of the narrow portion in the flow channel direction is within a range of 1 to 200 μm.

10. The method for generating microdroplets and bubbles according to claim 8, wherein: A distance from the connection site where the plurality of microchannels are connected to the first slit to the narrow portion is 1000 μm or less including zero.

11. The method for generating microdroplets and bubbles according to claim 8, wherein: The method for generating microdroplets and bubbles satisfies at least one of the following c and d: c: the continuous phase supply port or the dispersed phase supply port connected to the microchannel on the first side comprises a second slit, a terminal of the second slit is connected to the plurality of microchannels, one of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase is supplied to the microchannel on the first side via the second slit, and the other of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase is supplied to the plurality of microchannels via the first slit; d: The discharge port includes a third slit, a terminal end of the third slit is connected to the plurality of microchannels, and the microdroplets or bubbles are discharged from the microchannel on the second side through the third slit.

12. The method for generating microdroplets and bubbles according to claim 8, wherein: The discharge port includes a cylindrical hole, and the microchannel on the second side of the plurality of microchannels is connected to the cylindrical hole.

13. The method for generating microdroplets and bubbles according to claim 8, wherein: The inner walls of the plurality of microchannels are composed of a hydrophobic surface, the dispersed phase is an aqueous phase, and the continuous phase is an organic phase.

14. The method for generating micro-droplets and bubbles according to claim 8, wherein: The inner walls of the plurality of microchannels are composed of a hydrophilic surface, the dispersed phase is an organic phase, and the continuous phase is an aqueous phase.

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