Generation of monodisperse droplets by shape-induced shear and interfacial controlled fusion of individual droplets on-demand

A microfluidic device for generation of monodisperse droplets, said microfluidic device comprising:

• a first input microchannel having a first dimension and comprising a vertical portion extending upwards from a horizontal portion;
• a second input microchannel having a second dimension and comprising a vertical portion extending upwards from a horizontal portion, wherein said second dimension is different from said first dimension;
• a third input channel having a third dimension and comprising a vertical portion extending upwards from a horizontal portion, wherein said third dimension is different from at least the second dimension of the second input channel and wherein said third input microchannel and said second input microchannel are in communication with another microchannel junction;
• a microchannel junction in communication with the first input microchannel and said second input microchannel;
• an output channel in communication with said microchannel junction and set to receive a monodisperse droplet and comprising a vertical portion extending upwards from a horizontal portion, wherein the horizontal portions of said first input microchannel, said second input microchannel and said output channel meet at said microchannel junction and wherein the difference in the first dimension and the second dimension creates an interfacial tension induced force at said microchannel junction which forms said monodisperse droplet in the absence of a cross flow of an oil or any active mechanism;
• and
• wherein the droplet formed is distorted due to the steric constraint of the microchannel junction.