Fluidic devices, systems, and methods for encapsulating and partitioning reagents, and applications of same

A method for partitioning microcapsules, comprising:

• (a) providing an aqueous fluid comprising a suspension of microcapsules;
• and
• (b) flowing the aqueous fluid into a droplet generation junction comprising a partitioning fluid to form a population of droplets of the aqueous fluid in the partitioning fluid;
• wherein the droplet generation junction is in a microfluidic channel network of a microfluidic device comprising a first channel segment fluidly connecting a source of microcapsules to the droplet generation junction, a second channel segment connecting a source of partitioning fluid to the droplet generation junction, and a third channel segment fluidly connected to the droplet generation junction providing an outlet to the droplet generation junction;
• wherein the microfluidic channel network further comprises a fourth channel segment fluidly connecting an additional fluid to the first channel segment;
• and
• wherein the microfluidic channel network further comprises a fifth channel segment fluidly connecting a different fluid to the fourth channel segment;
• and
• wherein the microfluidic channel network further comprises one or more flow controlling structures within the first channel segment that provide a flow rate of the aqueous fluid;
• and
• wherein the one or more flow controlling structures comprise a gathering zone in which the microcapsules flow into and gather before flowing out.