Microfluidic devices, microfluidic systems, and methods for assessing thermophysical properties of a fluid

A microfluidic system comprising:

• a microfluidic device comprising a microfluidic substrate, the microfluidic substrate comprising a microfluidic channel for isolating a slug of a study fluid within an isolation fluid, a study fluid inlet port in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel, an isolation fluid inlet port in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel, wherein the isolation fluid inlet port is in fluid communication with the outlet port via an isolation fluid channel, and the isolation fluid channel is further in fluid communication with a first end of the microfluidic channel via a first set of comb channels, and is in fluid communication with a second end of the microfluidic channel via a second set of comb channels;
• a study fluid injection sub-system housing the study fluid and configured to force the study fluid into the microfluidic channel;
• an isolation fluid injection sub-system housing the isolation fluid and configured to force the isolation fluid into the microfluidic channel;
• a pressure regulation sub-system for regulating pressure in the microfluidic channel;
• a manifold providing fluid communication between the microfluidic device and the study fluid injection sub-system, the isolation fluid injection sub-system, and the pressure regulation sub-system;
• a temperature regulation sub-system for regulating a temperature within the microfluidic channel and the study fluid injection sub-system;
• and
• an optical investigation sub-system for optically accessing at least a portion of the microfluidic channel.