Creation and application of Flexibel Micro-/Nanofilms in Two-phase Flow Devices

Introduction:

When two phases flow together in one channel, one phase flows along the channel walls and the other phase in the center depending on channel wettability [1]. In a hydrophilic channel, the water phase preferentially flows along the channel walls and the oil phase in the channel center in either droplet-based flow (Fig.1a) or stratified flow (Fig.1b).

Depending on the flow ratio of water to oil phase, the water phase can be trapped as a flexible film of varying thickness between the channel walls and the oil phase. This film forms a flexible (tunable) micro- or nanofilm that can be used for many applications, such as trapping samples, shearing and releasing macromolecules like DNA and so on.

(a)

(b)

Figure 1 Water (bright) and Oil (dark) two-phase flow in a hydrophilic channel at different flow rates: (a) a droplet-based flow, (b) a stratified flow

Project description:

The aim of this project is to generate and tune flexible nanofilms (nanochannels) in micro- and nanofluidic chips. The control of the films will be investigated, and if possible also some applications.

Contact information:

Lingling Shui/Jan C.T.Eijkel

MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology

University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands

Email: L.shui@ewi.utwente.nl

Phone: 0031-053-489-2722

References

1. Shui, L., J.C.T. Eijkel, and A. van den Berg, Multiphase flow in micro- and nanochannels. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2007. 121(1): p. 263.

	Home > ... > Open Masterprojects > Creation and application of Flexibel Micro-/Nanofilms in Two-phase Flow Devices
Home News & Highlights People Vacancies Research Education & Assignments Publications Intranet Internal Links External links Movies Sitemap Search	General information on Education and Assignments \| Open IOO (B3)-assignments \| Courses \| Open Masterprojects Creation and application of Flexibel Micro-/Nanofilms in Two-phase Flow Devices *Introduction:* When two phases flow together in one channel, one phase flows along the channel walls and the other phase in the center depending on channel wettability [1]. In a hydrophilic channel, the water phase preferentially flows along the channel walls and the oil phase in the channel center in either droplet-based flow (Fig.1a) or stratified flow (Fig.1b). Depending on the flow ratio of water to oil phase, the water phase can be trapped as a flexible film of varying thickness between the channel walls and the oil phase. This film forms a flexible (tunable) micro- or nanofilm that can be used for many applications, such as trapping samples, shearing and releasing macromolecules like DNA and so on. (a) (b) Figure 1 Water (bright) and Oil (dark) two-phase flow in a hydrophilic channel at different flow rates: (a) a droplet-based flow, (b) a stratified flow *Project description:* The aim of this project is to generate and tune flexible nanofilms (nanochannels) in micro- and nanofluidic chips. The control of the films will be investigated, and if possible also some applications. *Contact information:* Lingling Shui/Jan C.T.Eijkel MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands Email: L.shui@ewi.utwente.nl Phone: 0031-053-489-2722 References 1. Shui, L., J.C.T. Eijkel, and A. van den Berg, *Multiphase flow in micro- and nanochannels.* Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2007. 121(1): p. 263.