Hydrodynamic and gravity focusing apparatus and method of forming and shaping microfluidic devices

An apparatus for forming an extruded shape comprising:

• a) a hydrodynamic nozzle for creating a co-flowing extrusion formed of an external curable fluid and an internal core fluid;
• b) a curing system for at least partially curing the external curable fluid;
• c) a pressure system for removing the internal core fluid from the external curable fluid;
• a material bed for receiving at least a portion of a co-flowing extrusion;
• e) a control system for causing relative movement between the hydrodynamic nozzle and a material bed;
• and
• f) a fluid drain system for receiving the core fluid.

A method for forming an extruded shape, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a hydrodynamic nozzle capable of forming an extrusion comprising an external curable fluid and an internal core fluid;
• b) providing a curing system;
• c. providing a material bed;
• d.) providing a fluid drain system comprising at least one fluid drain;
• e) providing a control system;
• f) providing relative motion from the control system so that the hydrodynamic nozzle is positioned proximate to a fluid drain in the material bed;
• g) forming an extrusion from the hydrodynamic nozzle so that the external curable fluid is in communication with the material bed, and the internal core fluid is in communication with the fluid drain;
• and
• h) providing relative motion from the control system while simultaneously forming an extrusion from the hydrodynamic nozzle to form a shape having at least a hollow portion.

A method of forming an extruded shape, comprising:

• a) providing a hydrodynamic nozzle;
• b) providing a curing system;
• c) providing a material bed;
• and
• d) providing a control system;
• e) providing a gravity fed system;
• f) optionally providing a fluid drain system;
• g) simultaneously introducing a curable sheath fluid and a core ferro fluid from the hydrodynamic nozzle to form a co-flowing extrusion comprising an external sheath fluid and an internal core fluid;
• h) exposing the core fluid to a magnetic force;
• i) depositing at least a portion of the co-flowing extrusion on the material bed;
• j) causing relative motion between the hydrodynamic nozzle and the material bed to form an extruded shape;
• k) at least partially curing a portion of the external curable fluid;
• l) optionally introducing the co-flowing extrusion to pressure from the pressure system to remove the internal core fluid from the external curable fluid;
• and
• m) optionally receiving the core fluid into the fluid drain system.

A method for forming an extruded shape, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a hydrodynamic nozzle capable of forming an extrusion comprising an external curable fluid and an internal core fluid containing a ferro fluid;
• b) providing a curing system;
• c. providing a material bed;
• d.) providing a fluid drain system comprising at least one fluid drain;
• e) providing a control system;
• f) providing relative motion from the control system so that the hydrodynamic nozzle is positioned proximate to a fluid drain in the material bed;
• g) forming an extrusion from the hydrodynamic nozzle so that the external curable fluid is in communication with the material bed, and the internal core fluid is in communication with the a magnetic force and the fluid drain;
• and
• h) providing relative motion from the control system while simultaneously forming an extrusion from the hydrodynamic nozzle to form a shape having at least a hollow portion.