In-air microfluidics enables rapid fabrication of emulsions, suspensions, and 3D modular (bio)materials

Sci Adv. 2018 Jan 31;4(1):eaao1175. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aao1175. eCollection 2018 Jan.

Abstract

Microfluidic chips provide unparalleled control over droplets and jets, which have advanced all natural sciences. However, microfluidic applications could be vastly expanded by increasing the per-channel throughput and directly exploiting the output of chips for rapid additive manufacturing. We unlock these features with in-air microfluidics, a new chip-free platform to manipulate microscale liquid streams in the air. By controlling the composition and in-air impact of liquid microjets by surface tension-driven encapsulation, we fabricate monodisperse emulsions, particles, and fibers with diameters of 20 to 300 μm at rates that are 10 to 100 times higher than chip-based droplet microfluidics. Furthermore, in-air microfluidics uniquely enables module-based production of three-dimensional (3D) multiscale (bio)materials in one step because droplets are partially solidified in-flight and can immediately be printed onto a substrate. In-air microfluidics is cytocompatible, as demonstrated by additive manufacturing of 3D modular constructs with tailored microenvironments for multiple cell types. Its in-line control, high throughput and resolution, and cytocompatibility make in-air microfluidics a versatile platform technology for science, industry, and health care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air*
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis*
  • Emulsions / chemical synthesis*
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
  • Microfluidics / methods*
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional*
  • Suspensions / chemical synthesis*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Emulsions
  • Suspensions