Monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generation device and use method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a monodisperse micro-bubble and micro-droplet generating device and a using method of the monodisperse micro-bubble and micro-droplet generating device. A monodisperse microbubble and micro-droplet generating device includes a substrate and a cover plate covering the substrate. When the monodisperse micro-bubble and micro-droplet generating device is used, the size of micro-bubbles (micro-droplets) generated by the device disclosed by the invention is smaller than that of micro-bubbles (micro-droplets) generated by T-shaped microfluidic equipment under the same condition due to two-phase extrusion force between a continuous phase and a dispersed phase and extrusion force between a corner and the dispersed phase; therefore, the limitation of the sizes of the channels (the first strip-shaped groove, the second strip-shaped groove and the third strip-shaped groove) on the sizes of the generated micro-bubbles (micro-droplets) is reduced, and the monodisperse micro-bubbles (micro-droplets) of which the sizes are smaller than the widths of the channels can be generated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of microfluidics technology, and in particular to a monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device and a method for using the same. Background Art

[0002] Microbubbles and microdroplets (with a diameter less than 100 microns) have the characteristics of large specific surface area for mass transfer, so the continuous and controllable preparation of monodisperse microbubbles and microdroplets plays an important role in chemical process intensification. At present, the equipment used to prepare monodisperse microbubbles is mainly microfluidic equipment with a channel characteristic diameter of hundreds of microns. With the rapid development of mechanical micromachining technology and 3D printing technology, the existing technology has proposed a variety of microfluidic devices, mainly including T-type microfluidic devices, Y-type microfluidic devices, focused flow microfluidic devices, coaxial flow microfluidic devices, step emulsification microfluidic devices, etc. Under the condition that the operating conditions of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase are fixed, due to the scale and interface effects in the confined space of the microfluidic device, microbubbles (microdroplets) can be uniformly prepared at a constant generation frequency with a narrow size distribution.

[0003] T-type microfluidic devices are currently the most widely used microfluidic devices in the industry due to their simple structure and ease of scaling up the processing capacity of micro-devices. In T-type microfluidic devices, the continuous phase inlet channel is perpendicular to the dispersed phase inlet channel, and the generation of microbubbles (microdroplets) is controlled by the extrusion mechanism, and their size gradually decreases with the increase of the continuous phase flow rate. Due to the continuous phase seepage phenomenon, the proportion of the continuous phase flow that does not play an extrusion role during the growth of microbubbles (microdroplets) also increases with the increase of the continuous phase flow rate. Therefore, the critical minimum microbubble (microdroplet) size that can maintain monodispersity is equal to the characteristic size of the internal channel of the microfluidic device.

[0004] Although the size of microbubbles (microdroplets) can be smaller than the characteristic size of the internal channel of the T-type microfluidic device under extreme operating conditions, they show an extremely wide size distribution, the size of the generated microbubbles (microdroplets) is uneven, and the process controllability is low. Therefore, it is still a major technical challenge to controllably produce monodisperse microbubbles (microdroplets) smaller than the characteristic size of its internal channel through T-type microfluidic devices. Summary of the invention

[0005] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device and a method for using the same to address the problem that it is difficult to controllably produce monodisperse microbubbles (microdroplets) smaller than the characteristic size of the internal channel through a T-type microfluidic device.

[0006] A monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device, the monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device comprising a substrate and a cover plate covering the substrate;

[0007] A first strip groove, a second strip groove, a third strip groove and a buffer groove are formed on a side of the substrate close to the cover plate; the first strip groove and the third strip groove extend in a first direction, and the second strip groove and the buffer groove extend in a second direction;

[0008] One end of the first strip groove, one end of the third strip groove, one end of the second strip groove and one end of the buffer groove converge and communicate to form a buffer zone;

[0009] The other end of the first strip-shaped groove passes through the side surface of the substrate and forms a first entrance;

[0010] The other end of the second strip-shaped groove passes through the side surface of the substrate and forms a second entrance;

[0011] The other end of the third strip groove passes through the side surface of the substrate and forms an outlet;

[0012] The other end of the buffer groove is spaced apart from the side surface of the substrate along the second direction;

[0013] The first direction, the second direction, and the thickness direction of the substrate are perpendicular to each other.

[0014] In actual use of the above-mentioned monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device, a continuous phase fluid is injected into the second inlet, and the volume flow rate of the continuous phase fluid is adjusted so that the buffer tank is filled with the continuous phase fluid, and a dispersed phase fluid is injected into the first inlet, and the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase fluid is adjusted. The dispersed phase fluid flows in the first strip groove along the first direction, and the continuous phase fluid flows in the second strip groove along the second direction. The dispersed phase fluid and the continuous phase fluid meet at one end of the buffer tank close to the second strip groove and form microdroplets or microbubbles. The continuous phase fluid drives the microdroplets or microbubbles to flow to the outlet along the third strip groove.

[0015] The reason why the size of the microbubbles (microdroplets) generated in the present application is small is that when the continuous phase fluid from the second inlet enters the buffer tank from the gap between the dispersed phase body and the cover plate, and the gap between the dispersed phase body and the substrate, and after the flow direction is reversed in the buffer tank, it impacts the dispersed phase body from the corner between the third strip groove and the buffer tank. At the same time, the dispersed phase body is squeezed by the dynamic fluid and collides with the corner between the third strip groove and the buffer tank, so that the microbubbles (microdroplets) are separated from the dispersed phase body on the left side from the collision state. The microbubbles (microdroplets) generated by the device of the present application are smaller than those generated by the T-type microfluidic device under the same conditions, thereby reducing the restriction of the channel (first strip groove, second strip groove, third strip groove) size on the size of the generated microbubbles (microdroplets), and can generate microbubbles (microdroplets) smaller in size than the channel width. And only the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase needs to be controlled to ensure that the size of the generated microbubbles (microdroplets) is uniform, and the size of the generated microbubbles (microdroplets) can be changed by changing the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase.

[0016] In one embodiment, the substrate has a first side surface and a third side surface opposite to each other along a first direction, and a second side surface and a fourth side surface opposite to each other along a second direction;

[0017] The other end of the first strip-shaped groove passes through the first side surface and forms a first entrance;

[0018] The other end of the second strip-shaped groove passes through the second side surface and forms a second entrance;

[0019] The other end of the third strip-shaped groove passes through the third side surface and forms an outlet;

[0020] The other end of the buffer groove is spaced apart from the fourth side surface along the second direction.

[0021] In one embodiment, a side wall of an end of the buffer groove facing away from the second strip-shaped groove is a curved surface.

[0022] In one embodiment, the symmetry axes of the first strip groove and the third strip groove along the first direction are coaxial;

[0023] The symmetry axes of the second strip groove and the buffer groove along the second direction are coaxial.

[0024] In one embodiment, the length and width of the substrate and the cover plate are the same, the length of the substrate is 6-8 cm, the width of the substrate is 3-4 cm, the thickness of the substrate is 8-10 mm, and the thickness of the cover plate is 2-3 mm.

[0025] In one embodiment, the cover plate is made of one of stainless steel, quartz glass, tempered glass, polymethyl methacrylate, and polytetrafluoroethylene;

[0026] The substrate is made of one of stainless steel, quartz glass, tempered glass, polymethyl methacrylate and polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0027] In one embodiment, the cross-section of the first strip groove, the second strip groove, the third strip groove and the buffer groove along the thickness direction of the substrate is a rectangle;

[0028] The second strip groove, the third strip groove and the buffer groove have the same depth.

[0029] In one embodiment, the ratio of the width to the depth of the first strip-shaped groove is in the range of 1:1-3:1;

[0030] The ratio of the width to the depth of the second strip groove is in the range of 1:1-3:1;

[0031] The ratio of the width to the depth of the third strip groove is in the range of 1:1-3:1;

[0032] The ratio of the width to the depth of the buffer groove is in the range of 1:1-3:1.

[0033] In one embodiment, the cover plate and the base plate are connected by heat compression or sealed by fasteners.

[0034] An embodiment of the present application also provides a method for using a monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device, which is used to generate microdroplets or microbubbles using the monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device. The method for using the monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device comprises the following steps:

[0035] Injecting a continuous phase fluid into the second inlet, and adjusting the volume flow rate of the continuous phase fluid so that the buffer tank is filled with the continuous phase fluid;

[0036] Injecting dispersed phase fluid into the first inlet and adjusting the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase fluid;

[0037] The dispersed phase fluid and the continuous phase fluid meet at one end of the buffer tank close to the second strip-shaped groove and form micro-droplets or micro-bubbles;

[0038] The dispersed phase fluid and the continuous phase fluid drive the micro-droplets or micro-bubbles to flow to the outlet along the third strip groove.

[0039] In actual use of the above-mentioned monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device, a continuous phase fluid is injected into the second inlet, and the volume flow rate of the continuous phase fluid is adjusted so that the buffer tank is filled with the continuous phase fluid, and a dispersed phase fluid is injected into the first inlet, and the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase fluid is adjusted. The dispersed phase fluid flows in the first strip groove along the first direction, and the continuous phase fluid flows in the second strip groove along the second direction. The dispersed phase fluid and the continuous phase fluid meet at one end of the buffer tank close to the second strip groove and form microdroplets or microbubbles. The continuous phase fluid drives the microdroplets or microbubbles to flow to the outlet along the third strip groove.

[0040] The reason why the size of the microbubbles (microdroplets) generated in the present application is small is that when the continuous phase fluid from the second inlet enters the buffer tank from the gap between the dispersed phase body and the cover plate, and the gap between the dispersed phase body and the substrate, and after the flow direction is reversed in the buffer tank, it impacts the dispersed phase body from the corner between the third strip groove and the buffer tank. At the same time, the dispersed phase body is squeezed by the dynamic fluid and collides with the corner between the third strip groove and the buffer tank, so that the microbubbles (microdroplets) are separated from the dispersed phase body on the left side from the collision state. The microbubbles (microdroplets) generated by the device of the present application are smaller than those generated by the T-type microfluidic device under the same conditions, thereby reducing the restriction of the channel (first strip groove, second strip groove, third strip groove) size on the size of the generated microbubbles (microdroplets), and can generate microbubbles (microdroplets) smaller in size than the channel width. And only the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase needs to be controlled to ensure that the size of the generated microbubbles (microdroplets) is uniform, and the size of the generated microbubbles (microdroplets) can be changed by changing the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. It is found that the smaller the size of the microbubbles (microdroplets) in the buffer tank is, the smaller the microbubbles (microdroplets) generated by the device are. This is because when the buffer tank is full of continuous phase, the buffer length of the continuous phase is the length of the entire buffer tank, so that the flow direction of the continuous phase is more stable. When the size of the microbubbles (microdroplets) in the buffer tank increases, the buffer distance of the buffer tank will be shortened accordingly, and the buffer flow direction of the continuous phase is affected by the microbubbles (microdroplets) in the buffer tank, so that the impact force of the continuous phase on the dispersed phase body in the buffer zone is absorbed by the microbubbles (microdroplets) in the buffer tank, thereby reducing the reverse impact force of the continuous phase on the dispersed phase body in the buffer zone. Therefore, the size of the microbubbles (microdroplets) generated by the device will increase. Therefore, in the above method, it is necessary to first introduce the continuous phase fluid so that the continuous phase fluid fills the buffer tank, so as not to cause the dispersed phase to enter the buffer tank to generate microbubbles (microdroplets) and form a buffer dead zone, weakening the buffer effect. The order of introducing the above fluids further reduces the size of the microbubbles or microdroplets generated by the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device according to an embodiment.

[0042] Figure 2 Comparison of transient graphs of microbubbles or microdroplets generated by a T-type microfluidic device and a monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device.

[0043] Figure 3It is a transient diagram of the monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device during the process of generating microbubbles or microdroplets.

[0044] Figure 4 Comparison of transient graphs during the process of generating microbubbles (microdroplets) when there are microbubbles (microdroplets) of different sizes in the buffer tank of the monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generation device.

[0045] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0046] 100-monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device;

[0047] 110-substrate; 111-first strip groove; 112-second strip groove; 113-third strip groove; 114-buffer groove; 115-first inlet; 116-second inlet; 117-exit; 118-buffer zone;

[0048] 120-cover plate;

[0049] OX-first direction; OY-second direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] In order to make the above-mentioned purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without violating the connotation of the present application, so the present application is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0051] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that if the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. appear, the orientation or position relationship indicated by these terms is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0052] In addition, if the terms "first" or "second" appear, these terms are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of this application, if the term "plurality" appears, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0053] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, if the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like appear, these terms should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integrated connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0054] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, if there is a description that a first feature is "above" or "below" a second feature, etc., or similar descriptions appear, it may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "above" and "above" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. The first feature being "below", "below" and "below" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0055] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be a central element. If an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be a central element at the same time. If any, the terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation method.

[0056] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device 100 in an embodiment of the present application is shown. The monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application includes a substrate 110 and a cover plate 120 covering the substrate 110.

[0057] In the above-mentioned monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device 100, a first strip groove 111, a second strip groove 112, a third strip groove 113 and a buffer groove 114 are provided on one side of the substrate 110 close to the cover plate 120. The extension direction of the first strip groove 111 and the third strip groove 113 is along the first direction OX, and the extension direction of the second strip groove 112 and the buffer groove 114 is along the second direction OY. One end of the first strip groove 111, one end of the second strip groove 112, one end of the third strip groove 113 and one end of the buffer groove 114 converge and communicate to form a buffer zone 118. The other end of the first strip groove 111 passes through the side of the substrate 110 and forms a first inlet 115;

[0058] The other end of the second strip groove 112 passes through the side surface of the substrate 110 and forms a second inlet 116;

[0059] The other end of the third strip groove 113 penetrates the side surface of the substrate 110 and forms an outlet 117;

[0060] The other end of the buffer groove 114 is spaced apart from the side surface of the substrate along the second direction OY;

[0061] In actual use of the above-mentioned monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device 100, a continuous phase fluid is injected into the second inlet 116, and the volume flow rate of the continuous phase fluid is adjusted so that the buffer tank 114 is filled with the continuous phase fluid, and a dispersed phase fluid is injected into the first inlet 115, and the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase fluid is adjusted. The dispersed phase fluid flows in the first strip groove 111 along the first direction OX, and the continuous phase fluid flows in the second strip groove 112 along the second direction OY. Figure 2 The dispersed phase fluid and the continuous phase fluid meet at one end of the buffer tank 114 close to the second strip groove 112 and form micro-droplets or micro-bubbles. The continuous phase fluid drives the micro-droplets or micro-bubbles along the third strip groove 113 to flow to the outlet 117.

[0062] Figure 2 The upper part shows the transient state of microbubbles or microdroplets generated by the T-type microfluidic device. Figure 2 The lower part is a transient diagram of the structure after the buffer tank 114 is set in this application to generate microbubbles or microdroplets. From left to right, the liquid flow rate is from 2.0ml / mim to 3.0ml / mim. The gas flow rate and liquid flow rate of the upper and lower figures are the same. Comparing the two figures in each column, it can be seen that the size of the microbubbles (microdroplets) generated by the structure with the buffer tank 114 is smaller than that of the microbubbles (microdroplets) generated by the T-type microfluidic device. Figure 3 , Figure 3The monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device 100 in the present application is a transient image captured by a high-speed camera during the process of generating microbubbles or microdroplets. The reason why the size of the microbubbles (microdroplets) generated in the present application is small is that when the continuous phase fluid from the second inlet 116 is Figure 2 The middle part enters the buffer groove 114 through the gap between the dispersed phase body and the cover plate 120 in the buffer zone 118, and the gap between the dispersed phase body and the substrate 110, and after the flow direction is reversed in the buffer groove, it impacts the dispersed phase body in the opposite direction from the corner between the third strip groove 113 and the buffer groove. At the same time, the dispersed phase body is squeezed by the dynamic fluid and collides with the corner between the third strip groove 113 and the buffer groove, so that the microbubbles (microdroplets) are separated from the dispersed phase body on the left side from the collision state and flow to the outlet, while the T-type microfluidic device does not generate the above-mentioned multiple squeezing forces. Therefore, the above-mentioned two-phase squeezing force between the continuous phase and the dispersed phase and the squeezing force between the corner and the dispersed phase make the size of the microbubbles (microdroplets) generated by the device of the present application smaller than the size of the microbubbles (microdroplets) generated by the T-type microfluidic device under the same conditions, thereby reducing the restriction of the channel (first strip groove 111, second strip groove 112, third strip groove 113) size on the size of the generated microbubbles (microdroplets), that is, Figure 3 As shown, microbubbles (microdroplets) smaller than the channel width can be generated. And the size of the generated microbubbles (microdroplets) can be guaranteed to be uniform by simply controlling the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. The size of the generated microbubbles (microdroplets) can be changed by changing the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase.

[0063] See also Figure 1 In one embodiment, the substrate 110 has a first side surface and a third side surface opposite to each other along the first direction OX, and a second side surface and a fourth side surface opposite to each other along the second direction OY. The other end of the first strip groove 111 penetrates the first side surface and forms a first inlet 115. The other end of the second strip groove 112 penetrates the second side surface and forms a second inlet 116. The other end of the third strip groove 113 penetrates the third side surface and forms an outlet 117. The other end of the buffer groove 114 is spaced from the fourth side surface along the second direction OY. Thus, the surface of the substrate is rectangular, and each groove is flush with the side surface of the substrate 110, which is convenient for injecting the dispersed phase and the continuous phase.

[0064] Specifically, the substrate 110 and the cover plate 120 may also be in other shapes as long as they satisfy the structure of the four grooves in the present application, which will not be elaborated here.

[0065] In one embodiment, the side wall of the buffer groove 114 at one end away from the second strip groove 112 is an arc surface, so that the continuous phase is guided by the arc surface so that the continuous phase flows along the arc surface to the corner between the third strip groove 113 and the buffer groove, thereby enhancing the buffering effect. If the buffer groove 114 is a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole, that is, the side wall of the buffer groove 114 at one end away from the second strip groove 112 is a plane, the impact from the continuous phase will directly hit the plane wall and then directly rebound to the dispersed phase at the mouth of the buffer groove 114. In the case of diversion, the flow direction of the continuous phase is unstable, thereby weakening the buffering effect.

[0066] Preferably, the side wall of the buffer groove 114 at one end away from the second strip groove 112 is an arc surface, and the arc of the arc surface is 180 degrees, that is, a semicircular arc surface.

[0067] In one embodiment, the first strip groove 111 and the third strip groove 113 are coaxial along the symmetry axis of the first direction OX. The second strip groove 112 and the buffer groove 114 are coaxial along the symmetry axis of the second direction OY, so that the microbubbles (microdroplets) can move along the first direction OX without colliding with the side wall of the third strip groove 113 or the side wall of the second strip groove 112.

[0068] In one embodiment, the length and width of the substrate 110 and the cover plate 120 are the same, the length of the substrate 110 is 6-8 cm, the width of the substrate 110 is 3-4 cm, the thickness of the substrate 110 is 8-10 mm, and the thickness of the cover plate 120 is 2-3 mm, so that the cover plate 120 can completely and accurately cover the substrate 110, and can completely cover the first strip groove 111, the second strip groove 112, the third strip groove 113 and the buffer groove 114.

[0069] In one embodiment, the cover plate 120 is made of one of stainless steel, quartz glass, tempered glass, polymethyl methacrylate, and polytetrafluoroethylene. The substrate 110 is made of one of stainless steel, quartz glass, tempered glass, polymethyl methacrylate, and polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0070] Preferably, the cover plate 120 and the substrate 110 are made of the same material.

[0071] In one embodiment, the cover plate 120 and the base plate 110 are connected by heat pressing or sealed by fasteners, wherein the fasteners are screws or bolts.

[0072] In one embodiment, the cross-sections of the first strip groove 111 , the second strip groove 112 , the third strip groove 113 , and the buffer groove 114 along the thickness direction of the substrate 110 are rectangular.

[0073] The second strip groove 112, the third strip groove 113 and the buffer groove 114 have the same depth. Preferably, the first strip groove 111 and the third strip groove 113 form a strip groove extending along the first direction OX, and the width and depth are the same, and the second strip groove 112 and the buffer groove 114 form a strip groove extending along the second direction OY, and the width and depth are the same. Figure 1 .

[0074] Preferably, the first strip groove 111 and the second strip groove 112 have the same length, so as to ensure that the volume flow rate when the dispersed phase and the continuous phase meet can be controlled.

[0075] In one embodiment, the ratio of the width to the depth of the first strip groove 111 is in the range of 1:1-3:1, specifically, the depth of the first strip groove 111 is 100-300 μm, the width of the first strip groove 111 is 100-300 μm, and the length of the first strip groove 111 is 2-3 cm. The ratio of the width to the depth of the second strip groove 112 is in the range of 1:1-3:1, specifically, the depth of the second strip groove 112 is 100-300 μm, the width of the second strip groove 112 is 100-300 μm, and the length of the second strip groove 112 is 2-3 cm.

[0076] The ratio of the width to the depth of the third strip groove 113 is in the range of 1:1-3:1. Specifically, the width of the third strip groove 113 is 100-300 μm, the depth of the third strip groove 113 is 100-300 μm, and the length of the third strip groove 113 is 4-5 cm.

[0077] The ratio of the width to the depth of the buffer groove 114 is in the range of 1:1-3:1, the length of the buffer groove 114 is 100-300 μm, the width of the buffer groove 114 is the same as the width of the second strip groove 112 , and the depth of the buffer groove 114 is the same as the depth of the second strip groove 112 .

[0078] An embodiment of the present application also provides a method for using the monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device 100, which is used to generate microdroplets or microbubbles using the monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device 100. The method for using the monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device 100 comprises the following steps:

[0079] The continuous phase fluid is injected into the first inlet 115, and the volume flow rate of the continuous phase fluid is adjusted.

[0080] At the same time, the dispersed phase fluid is injected into the second inlet 116, and the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase fluid is adjusted.

[0081] The dispersed phase fluid and the continuous phase fluid meet at one end of the buffer groove 114 close to the second strip groove 112 and form micro droplets or micro bubbles.

[0082] The dispersed phase fluid and the continuous phase fluid drive the micro-droplets or micro-bubbles along the third strip grooves 113 to flow to the outlet 117 .

[0083] In actual use of the above-mentioned monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device 100, a continuous phase fluid is injected into the second inlet 116, and the volume flow rate of the continuous phase fluid is adjusted so that the buffer tank 114 is filled with the continuous phase fluid, and a dispersed phase fluid is injected into the first inlet 115, and the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase fluid is adjusted. The dispersed phase fluid flows in the first strip groove 111 along the first direction OX, and the continuous phase fluid flows in the second strip groove 112 along the second direction OY. Figure 2 The dispersed phase fluid and the continuous phase fluid meet at one end of the buffer tank 114 close to the second strip groove 112 and form micro-droplets or micro-bubbles. The continuous phase fluid drives the micro-droplets or micro-bubbles along the third strip groove 113 to flow to the outlet 117.

[0084] Figure 2 The upper part shows the transient state of microbubbles or microdroplets generated by the T-type microfluidic device. Figure 2 The lower part is a transient diagram of the structure after the buffer tank 114 is set in this application to generate microbubbles or microdroplets. From left to right, the liquid flow rate is from 2.0ml / mim to 3.0ml / mim. The gas flow rate and liquid flow rate of the upper and lower figures are the same. Comparing the two figures in each column, it can be seen that the size of the microbubbles (microdroplets) generated by the structure with the buffer tank 114 is smaller than that of the microbubbles (microdroplets) generated by the T-type microfluidic device. Figure 3 , Figure 3 The monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device 100 in the present application is a transient image captured by a high-speed camera during the process of generating microbubbles or microdroplets. The reason why the size of the microbubbles (microdroplets) generated in the present application is small is that when the continuous phase fluid from the second inlet 116 is Figure 2The middle part enters the buffer groove 114 through the gap between the dispersed phase body and the cover plate 120 in the buffer zone 118, and the gap between the dispersed phase body and the substrate 110, and after the flow direction is reversed in the buffer groove, it impacts the dispersed phase body in the opposite direction from the corner between the third strip groove 113 and the buffer groove. At the same time, the dispersed phase body is squeezed by the dynamic fluid and collides with the corner between the third strip groove 113 and the buffer groove, so that the microbubbles (microdroplets) are separated from the dispersed phase body on the left side from the collision state and flow to the outlet, while the T-type microfluidic device does not generate the above-mentioned multiple squeezing forces. Therefore, the above-mentioned two-phase squeezing force between the continuous phase and the dispersed phase and the squeezing force between the corner and the dispersed phase make the size of the microbubbles (microdroplets) generated by the device of the present application smaller than the size of the microbubbles (microdroplets) generated by the T-type microfluidic device under the same conditions, thereby reducing the restriction of the channel (first strip groove 111, second strip groove 112, third strip groove 113) size on the size of the generated microbubbles (microdroplets), that is, Figure 3 As shown, microbubbles (microdroplets) smaller than the channel width can be generated. And the uniform size of the generated microbubbles (microdroplets) can be ensured by simply controlling the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. The size of the generated microbubbles (microdroplets) can be changed by changing the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. Figure 4 It can be found that the smaller the size of the microbubbles (microdroplets) in the buffer tank is, the smaller the microbubbles (microdroplets) generated by the device are. This is because when the buffer tank is full of continuous phase, the buffer length of the continuous phase is the length of the entire buffer tank, so that the flow direction of the continuous phase is more stable. When the size of the microbubbles (microdroplets) in the buffer tank increases, the buffer distance of the buffer tank will be shortened accordingly, and the buffer flow direction of the continuous phase is affected by the microbubbles (microdroplets) in the buffer tank, so that the impact force of the continuous phase on the dispersed phase body in the buffer zone is absorbed by the microbubbles (microdroplets) in the buffer tank, thereby reducing the reverse impact force of the continuous phase on the dispersed phase body in the buffer zone. Therefore, the size of the microbubbles (microdroplets) generated by the device will increase. Therefore, in the above method, it is necessary to first introduce the continuous phase fluid so that the continuous phase fluid fills the buffer tank, so as not to cause the dispersed phase to enter the buffer tank to generate microbubbles (microdroplets) and form a buffer dead zone, weakening the buffer effect. The order of introducing the above fluids further reduces the size of the microbubbles or microdroplets generated by the device.

[0085] The following are examples corresponding to experiments with different parameters.

[0086] Specifically, deionized water, glycerol aqueous solutions containing different glycerol mass fractions, or n-hexadecane are used as the continuous phase fluid, and nitrogen or air is used as the dispersed phase fluid. Figure 1The monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device 100 shown is used to prepare monodisperse microbubbles. The specific process is to deliver the dispersed phase fluid to the first strip groove 111 through the gas flow controller, deliver the continuous phase fluid to the second strip groove 112 through the constant flow injection pump, generate monodisperse microbubbles through the buffer groove 114, and the prepared microbubbles flow out from the third strip groove 113. The microbubble photos at the outlet 117 of the third strip groove 113 are taken with a high-speed camera to calculate the size of the microbubbles.

[0087] Embodiment 1:

[0088] Polymethyl methacrylate is used as the material of the cover plate 120 and the substrate 110, deionized water is used as the continuous phase fluid, air is used as the dispersed phase fluid, the volume flow rate of the continuous phase is 4.20 mL / min, the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase is 1.30 mL / min, the width and depth of the first strip groove 111 are both 100 μm, the width and depth of the second strip groove 112 are both 100 μm, the width and depth of the buffer groove 114 are both 100 μm, the length is 100 μm, and the width and depth of the third strip groove 113 are both 100 μm. The diameter of the microbubble is measured to be 60.28 μm, and the coefficient of variation of the average bubble size is 0.13%.

[0089] Embodiment 2:

[0090] On the basis of Example 1, a glycerol aqueous solution with a glycerol mass fraction of 60% was used as the continuous phase fluid. The diameter of the microbubbles was measured to be 51.75 μm, and the coefficient of variation of the average bubble size was 0.28%.

[0091] Embodiment 3

[0092] On the basis of Example 1, n-hexadecane was used as the continuous phase fluid. The diameter of the microbubbles was measured to be 55.43 μm, and the coefficient of variation of the average bubble size was 0.17%.

[0093] Embodiment 4:

[0094] Based on the first embodiment, polytetrafluoroethylene is used as the material of the cover plate 120 and the substrate 110. The diameter of the microbubbles is measured to be 59.45 μm, and the coefficient of variation of the average bubble diameter is 0.15%.

[0095] Embodiment five:

[0096] On the basis of the first embodiment, stainless steel is used as the material of the cover plate 120 and the substrate 110. The diameter of the microbubbles is measured to be 58.79 μm, and the coefficient of variation of the average bubble diameter is 0.28%.

[0097] Embodiment six:

[0098] On the basis of the first embodiment, quartz glass is used as the material of the cover plate 120 and the substrate 110. The diameter of the microbubbles is measured to be 62.53 μm, and the coefficient of variation of the average bubble diameter is 0.10%.

[0099] Embodiment seven:

[0100] Polytetrafluoroethylene is used as the material of the cover plate 120 and the substrate 110, a glycerol aqueous solution with a glycerol mass fraction of 25% is used as the continuous phase fluid, air is used as the dispersed phase fluid, the volume flow rate of the continuous phase is 3.80 mL / min, the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase is 2.00 mL / min, the width and depth of the first strip groove 111 are both 200 μm, the width and depth of the second strip groove 112 are both 200 μm, the width and depth of the buffer groove 114 are both 200 μm, the length is 100 μm, and the width and depth of the third strip groove 113 are both 200 μm. The diameter of the microbubble is measured to be 80.79 μm, and the coefficient of variation of the average bubble diameter is 0.21%.

[0101] Embodiment eight:

[0102] Stainless steel is used as the material of the cover plate 120 and the base plate 110, a glycerol aqueous solution with a glycerol mass fraction of 25% is used as the continuous phase fluid, air is used as the dispersed phase fluid, the volume flow rate of the continuous phase is 8.00 mL / min, the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase is 2.00 mL / min, the width and depth of the first strip groove 111 are both 300 μm, the width and depth of the second strip groove 112 are both 300 μm, the width and depth of the buffer groove 114 are both 300 μm, the length is 200 μm, and the width and depth of the third strip groove 113 are both 300 μm. The diameter of the microbubble is measured to be 93.65 μm, and the coefficient of variation of the average bubble diameter is 0.76%.

[0103] Embodiment nine:

[0104] Stainless steel is used as the material of the cover plate 120 and the base plate 110, a glycerol aqueous solution with a glycerol mass fraction of 40% is used as the continuous phase fluid, air is used as the dispersed phase fluid, the width and depth of the first strip groove 111 are both 150μm, the width and depth of the second strip groove 112 are both 150μm, the width and depth of the buffer groove 114 are both 150μm, the length is 100μm, and the width of the third strip groove 113 is 150μm. The volume flow rate of the dispersed phase is 1.50mL / min, the volume flow rate of the continuous phase is 4.00mL / min to 10.00mL / min, and the diameter of the microbubbles is measured to decrease from 98.51μm to 50.33μm, and the coefficient of variation of the average bubble diameter is less than 2.00%.

[0105] Deionized water or glycerol aqueous solution containing different glycerol mass fractions was used as the continuous phase fluid, and n-hexane or n-octane was used as the dispersed phase fluid. Figure 1 The monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device 100 shown in the figure prepares monodisperse microdroplets. The specific process is to deliver the dispersed phase fluid to the first strip groove 111 through a constant current injection pump, deliver the continuous phase fluid to the second strip groove 112 through a constant current injection pump, generate monodisperse microdroplets through the buffer groove 114, and the prepared microdroplets flow out from the third strip groove 113. The microdroplet photos at the outlet 117 of the third strip groove 113 are taken with a high-speed camera to calculate the size of the microdroplets.

[0106] Embodiment ten:

[0107] Polymethyl methacrylate is used as the material of the cover plate 120 and the substrate 110, deionized water is used as the continuous phase fluid, n-hexane is used as the dispersed phase fluid, the volume flow rate of the continuous phase is 4.20 mL / min, the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase is 1.00 mL / min, the width and depth of the first strip groove 111 are both 100 μm, the width and depth of the second strip groove 112 are both 100 μm, the width and depth of the buffer groove 114 are both 100 μm, and the length is 100 μm, and the width and depth of the third strip groove 113 are both 100 μm. The diameter of the micro droplet is measured to be 70.64 μm, and the coefficient of variation of the average droplet diameter is 0.18%.

[0108] Embodiment eleven:

[0109] Based on the implementation of Example 10, a glycerol aqueous solution with a glycerol mass fraction of 50% was used as the continuous phase fluid. The diameter of the microdroplets was measured to be 62.83 μm, and the coefficient of variation of the average droplet diameter was 0.25%.

[0110] Embodiment 12:

[0111] Based on the tenth embodiment, stainless steel is used as the material of the cover plate 120 and the substrate 110. The diameter of the micro droplets is measured to be 68.49 μm, and the coefficient of variation of the average droplet diameter is 0.21%.

[0112] Embodiment 13:

[0113] Quartz glass is used as the material of the cover plate 120 and the substrate 110, deionized water is used as the continuous phase fluid, n-octane is used as the dispersed phase fluid, the volume flow rate of the continuous phase is 2.10 mL / min, the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase is 0.5 mL / min, the width of the first strip groove 111 is 100 μm, the depth is 50 μm, the width of the second strip groove 112 is 100 μm, the depth is 50 μm, the width of the buffer groove 114 is 100 μm, the depth is 50 μm, and the length is 500 μm, and the width of the third strip groove 113 is 100 μm, and the depth is 50 μm. The diameter of the micro droplet is measured to be 69.74 μm, and the coefficient of variation of the average droplet diameter is 0.43%.

[0114] Embodiment 14:

[0115] Stainless steel is used as the material of the cover plate 120 and the base plate 110, a glycerol aqueous solution with a glycerol mass fraction of 40% is used as the continuous phase fluid, and n-hexane is used as the dispersed phase fluid. The width and depth of the first strip groove 111 are both 200μm, the width and depth of the second strip groove 112 are both 200μm, the width and depth of the buffer groove 114 are both 200μm, and the length is 100μm. The width and depth of the third strip groove 113 are both 200μm. The volume flow rate of the dispersed phase is 0.50mL / min, and the volume flow rate of the continuous phase is 3.00mL / min to 8.00mL / min. The diameter of the micro droplets is measured to decrease from 87.26μm to 63.74μm, and the coefficient of variation of the average droplet diameter is less than 1.00%.

[0116] The technical features of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0117] The above-described embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device, characterized in that: The monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device comprises a substrate and a cover plate covering the substrate; A first strip groove, a second strip groove, a third strip groove and a buffer groove are formed on a side of the substrate close to the cover plate; the first strip groove and the third strip groove extend in a first direction, and the second strip groove and the buffer groove extend in a second direction; One end of the first strip groove, one end of the third strip groove, one end of the second strip groove and one end of the buffer groove converge and communicate to form a buffer zone; The other end of the first strip-shaped groove passes through the side surface of the substrate and forms a first entrance; The other end of the second strip-shaped groove passes through the side surface of the substrate and forms a second entrance; The other end of the third strip groove passes through the side surface of the substrate and forms an outlet; The other end of the buffer groove is spaced apart from the side surface of the substrate along the second direction; The first direction, the second direction, and the thickness direction of the substrate are perpendicular to each other.

2. The monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The substrate has a first side surface and a third side surface opposite to each other along a first direction, and a second side surface and a fourth side surface opposite to each other along a second direction; The other end of the first strip-shaped groove passes through the first side surface and forms a first entrance; The other end of the second strip-shaped groove passes through the second side surface and forms a second entrance; The other end of the third strip-shaped groove passes through the third side surface and forms an outlet; The other end of the buffer groove is spaced apart from the fourth side surface along the second direction.

3. The monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The groove wall of the buffer groove at one end away from the second strip groove is an arc surface.

4. The monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The symmetry axis of the first strip groove along the first direction and the symmetry axis of the third strip groove along the first direction are coaxial; A symmetry axis of the second strip-shaped groove along the second direction is coaxial with a symmetry axis of the buffer groove along the second direction.

5. The monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length and width of the substrate are the same as those of the cover plate. The length of the substrate is 6-8 cm, the width of the substrate is 3-4 cm, the thickness of the substrate is 8-10 mm, and the thickness of the cover plate is 2-3 mm.

6. The monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover plate is made of one of stainless steel, quartz glass, tempered glass, polymethyl methacrylate, and polytetrafluoroethylene; The substrate is made of one of stainless steel, quartz glass, tempered glass, polymethyl methacrylate and polytetrafluoroethylene.

7. The monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-sections of the first strip groove, the second strip groove, the third strip groove and the buffer groove along the thickness direction of the substrate are rectangular; The second strip groove, the third strip groove and the buffer groove have the same depth.

8. The monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The ratio of the width to the depth of the first strip groove is in the range of 1:1-3:1; The ratio of the width to the depth of the second strip groove is in the range of 1:1-3:1; The ratio of the width to the depth of the third strip groove is in the range of 1:1-3:1; The ratio of the width to the depth of the buffer groove is in the range of 1:1-3:

1.

9. The monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover plate and the base plate are connected by heat pressing or sealed by fasteners.

10. A method for using a monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device, for generating microdroplets or microbubbles using the monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The method for using the monodisperse microbubble and microdroplet generating device comprises the following steps: Injecting a continuous phase fluid into the second inlet, and adjusting the volume flow rate of the continuous phase fluid so that the buffer tank is filled with the continuous phase fluid; Injecting dispersed phase fluid into the first inlet and adjusting the volume flow rate of the dispersed phase fluid; The dispersed phase fluid and the continuous phase fluid meet at one end of the buffer tank close to the second strip-shaped groove and form micro-droplets or micro-bubbles; The continuous phase fluid drives the micro-droplets or micro-bubbles along the third strip groove to flow to the outlet.

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