Fluorous Emulsion Surfactant for Biocompatible Microfluidic Droplets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surfactants are not suitable for stabilizing emulsions comprising a fluorous oil phase due to solubility issues and are toxic to biological molecules and cells, hindering gas transfer in microfluidic applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of star surfactants with fluorocarbon or perfluoropolyether tails for stabilizing water-in-oil emulsions, particularly with fluorous oils, using a linking group to connect lipophilic and hydrophilic tails, suitable for microfluidic technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surfactants are used to stabilize emulsions, then emulsion stability can be achieved, but solubility issues arise with fluorous oil phases and toxicity to biological molecules occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of surfactants by changing parameters such as incorporating fluorocarbon or perfluoropolyether chains (formula I) to alter solubility characteristics and reduce toxicity while maintaining emulsion stability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite surfactant molecules combining fluorocarbon/perfluoropolyether lipophilic tails with hydrophilic head groups containing specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine, or carbonyl) to achieve both fluorous oil compatibility and biological compatibility
2Reliability
If conventional surfactants are used in emulsions, then emulsion formation is possible, but gas transfer from external environment to inner regions is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes surfactant parameters by using fluorocarbon or perfluoropolyether chains which have different physical properties compared to conventional surfactants, resulting in improved gas permeability while maintaining emulsion stability
3Reliability
If conventional surfactants are used for fluorous oil emulsions, then emulsion stabilization can be attempted, but solubility compatibility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention fundamentally changes the lipophilic tail parameter by using fluorocarbon or perfluoropolyether chains that are chemically compatible with fluorous oils, achieving true solubility compatibility rather than mere mixing
Solution Approach 2:
The fluorocarbon or perfluoropolyether chain acts as an intermediary structure that bridges the hydrophilic head group and the fluorous oil phase, enabling compatible interaction between aqueous and fluorous components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The surfactants provide stable emulsions, enabling high-throughput screening and biological processes by ensuring solubility and compatibility with biological materials, while facilitating gas transfer and droplet manipulation in microfluidic devices.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention relates to a surfactant of formula (I) that is particularly useful for the stabilisation of water in oil emulsions
Implementation Method 2
each A is independently a fluorocarbon or a perfluoropolyether
Implementation Method 3
each B is independently a linear glycerol oligomer or polymer comprising at least three glycerol repeat units
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a surfactant of formula (I): (A)m-X—(B)n (I) wherein X is a linking group; each A is independently a fluorocarbon or a perfluoropolyether; each B is independently (II) wherein a is an integer between 3 and 50 and each R is independently C1-6 alkyl, CH2CH2OC1-6 alkyl or CH2CH(CH3)OC1-6 alkyl; m is an integer between 1 and 10; and n is an integer between 1 and 10.