Topological microfluidic structures for rapid mixing of emulsions

Abstract

A novel use for topological structures inside microfluidic channels is presented. These structures have been successfully utilised to aid in mixing of two water-in-oil emulsions in order to force coalescence, thereby introducing a cross linker into the primary emulsion to form particles. The method has been demonstrated by the manufacture of selfimmobilised enzyme particles, which exhibit high activity retention while also producing highly monodisperse particles.