System and method for generation of emulsions with low interfacial tension and measuring frequency vibrations in the system

A method for producing a double emulsion containing two or more immiscible phases with a low interfacial tension and a high level of uniformity using a classical microfluidic device, comprising the steps of:

• introducing an outer phase fluid to an outer capillary of the microfluidic device through a tube;
• introducing an inner phase fluid to an inner capillary of the microfluidic device through a flexible tube;
• introducing a middle phase fluid to a middle capillary of the microfluidic device through a tube, the inner fluid being injected within the middle fluid in the microfluidic device and the result of the combined inner and middle fluid being injected within the outer fluid in the microfluidic device;
• and
• mechanically vibrating the flexible tubing which brings the inner phase fluid into the microfluidic device so as to create a pressure disturbance therein, whereby double encapsulated drops are formed at the output of the microfluidic device.

A device for producing an all-aqueous double emulsion containing two or more immiscible aqueous phases comprising:

• a microfluidic device;
• an outer fluid capillary, an inner fluid capillary located within the outer fluid capillary of the microfluidic device, and further configured to direct fluid into the outer fluid capillary through an outlet;
• and
• a mechanical vibrator, wherein the mechanical vibrator is configured to mechanically perturb the inner capillary at a point prior to the outlet.

A device for producing a double emulsion containing two or more immiscible aqueous phases comprising:

• a microfluidic device;
• an outer fluid capillary, an inner fluid capillary located within the outer fluid capillary of the microfluidic device, and further configured to direct fluid into the outer fluid capillary through an outlet;
• a mechanical vibrator, wherein the mechanical vibrator is configured to mechanically perturb the inner capillary at a point prior to the outlet;
• and
• a liquid extractor which triggers a third phase inside the single emulsion when the inner fluid contains two or more incompatible solutes, by extracting water from the inner fluid so that the concentration of the incompatible solutes increases until the inner fluid separates into one or more immiscible phases.

A device for the production a double emulsion containing two or more immiscible aqueous phases comprising:

• a microfluidic device;
• an outer fluid capillary, an inner fluid capillary located within the outer fluid capillary of the microfluidic device, and further configured to direct fluid into the outer fluid capillary through an outlet;
• a mechanical vibrator, wherein the mechanical vibrator is configured to mechanically perturb the inner capillary at a point prior to the outlet;
• and
• a power supply that oppositely charges the inner and outer fluids so that the outer fluid migrates into the inner fluid under electrostatic force, forming an immiscible phase inside the outer fluid.

A method for synthesizing microspheres with controllable sizes depending on the properties of an emulsion, comprising the steps of:

• introducing an outer continuous phase fluid to an outer capillary of a microfluidic device through a tube at a first flow rate;
• introducing an inner emulsion phase fluid to an inner capillary of the microfluidic device through a flexible tube at a second flow rate, the inner emulsion phase fluid being injected within the outer continuous phase fluid in the microfluidic device;
• mechanically vibrating the flexible tubing which brings the inner emulsion phase fluid into the microfluidic device so as to create a pressure disturbance therein, whereby encapsulated droplets are formed at the output of the microfluidic device with a particular diameter;
• and
• solidifying the emulsion droplets into hydrogel particles with a diameter dictated by that of the emulsion droplets.