Microfluidic platform for refrigeration induced phase separation of aqueous-acetonitrile solutions

A microfluidic cooling system for liquid-liquid phase separation comprising:

• a microfluidic cooling device comprising:
• a first microfluidic pathway comprising:
• one or more inlets configured to receive a sample at a first temperature, the sample comprising a first liquid, a second liquid, and a plurality of soluble particles, the first liquid and the second liquid being miscible at the first temperature;
• and
• one or more outlets configured to output a first phase of the sample and a second phase of the sample at a second temperature, the first phase comprising a majority of the first liquid and a first portion of the plurality of soluble particles, the first portion being more soluble within the first liquid than the second liquid, and the second phase comprising a majority of the second liquid and a second portion of the plurality of soluble particles, the second portion being more soluble within the second liquid than the first liquid;
• a thermoelectric cooling element in thermal communication with at least a portion of the microfluidic pathway and configured to transition the sample from the first temperature to the second temperature;
• and
• a controller in operative communication with the microfluidic cooling device and configured to cause the thermoelectric cooling element to transition the sample from the first temperature to the second temperature.

A method of liquid-liquid phase separation comprising:

• providing a sample into a microfluidic pathway, the sample comprising a first liquid, a second liquid, and a plurality of soluble particles, the first liquid and the second liquid being miscible at a first temperature;
• cooling the sample as it flows through at least a portion of the microfluidic pathway from the first temperature to a second temperature;
• and
• separating a first phase of the sample from a second phase of the sample downstream of the microfluidic pathway, the first phase comprising a majority of the first liquid and a first portion of the plurality of soluble particles, the first portion being more soluble in the first liquid than the second liquid, and the second phase comprising a majority of the second liquid and a second portion of the plurality of soluble particles, the second portion being more soluble in the second liquid than the first liquid;
• wherein during the providing, cooling, and separating, the sample, the first liquid, the second liquid, the first phase of the sample and the second phase of the sample remain in the liquid state.