Integrated Microfluidic Droplet Generator Chip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional droplet generators are complex, large, and expensive, making them inefficient for generating immiscible droplets, and they lack control over droplet characteristics and interaction.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a microfluidic channel and a droplet generator into a chip, using microfabrication processes to create small-scale channels and fluid actuators like inertial pumps, allowing for precise control over droplet generation and interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conventional droplet generators are used, then droplet generation function is achieved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedroplet generator complexityVSAvoiddroplet generation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the droplet generator with the microfluidic channel into an integrated chip structure. The droplet generator is formed as part of the microfluidic device, combining multiple functions (fluid transport, droplet generation, and manipulation) into a single integrated system, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable droplet generation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated chip structure allows the same device to perform multiple functions: transporting carrier fluid through microfluidic channels, generating droplets via the droplet generator, and manipulating the generated droplets. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate conventional droplet generators, reducing complexity while ensuring reliable operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If conventional droplet generators are used, then droplet generation is achieved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedroplet generator sizeVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the droplet generator with the microfluidic channel into a single integrated chip, the patent eliminates the need for separate external components. The droplet generator is formed as part of the microfluidic device structure, significantly reducing the overall volume and size of the system while maintaining functional complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional droplet generators are used, then droplet generation is achieved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidgenerator complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of the droplet generator with the microfluidic channel allows both components to be manufactured simultaneously using the same microfabrication processes. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly steps, reducing overall production cost while simplifying the generator design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses microfabrication processes to create precise copies of the droplet generator structure as part of the microfluidic device. This allows for standardized, scalable manufacturing using established semiconductor fabrication techniques, reducing cost compared to conventional approaches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Manufacturing precision

If integrated microfluidic channel and droplet generator are used, then control over droplet characteristics is enhanced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedroplet characteristic control precisionVSAvoidchip fabrication difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the droplet generator with the microfluidic channel, the patent ensures that both components are fabricated with the same precision using the same microfabrication processes. This integrated approach allows for precise control of droplet characteristics through carefully designed channel geometries and fluid dynamics, while the manufacturing precision requirements are met through standardized fabrication techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This integration reduces the complexity, size, and cost of droplet generators while enhancing control over droplet characteristics and interaction, enabling efficient generation and manipulation of small volumes of fluids.

Implementation Method 1

Droplet generators create droplets of a dispersed fluid suspended in another immiscible fluid or carrier fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

The generated droplets may be conveyed by the carrier fluid for sensing or other processes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid dynamics:

Data Source

PatentUS11911731B2Droplet generator

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

An immiscible droplet generation system may include a chip, a microfluidic channel integrated into the chip, an input to the microfluidic channel through which the microfluidic channel is to be filled with a first fluid that is to be moved through the microfluidic channel and a droplet generator. The droplet generator is integrated into the chip to generate a droplet of a second fluid, immiscible within the first fluid, and to inject the droplet into the first fluid in the microfluidic channel.