Microfluidic fabrication of stable gas-filled microcapsules for acoustic contrast enhancement

Langmuir. 2013 Oct 8;29(40):12352-7. doi: 10.1021/la402598p. Epub 2013 Sep 25.

Abstract

We introduce a facile approach for the production of gas-filled microcapsules designed to withstand high pressures. We exploit microfluidics to fabricate water-filled microcapsules that are then externally triggered to become gas-filled, thus making them more echogenic. In addition, the gas-filled microcapsules have a solid polymer shell making them resistant to pressure-induced buckling, which makes them more mechanically robust than traditional prestabilized microbubbles; this should increase the potential of their utility for acoustic imaging of porous media with high hydrostatic pressures such as oil reservoirs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustics*
  • Capsules*
  • Microfluidics / methods*

Substances

  • Capsules