A novel microfluidic method to produce monodisperse micrometer bubbles

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new microfluidic technique that reliably produces very small, uniform bubbles in the 3-5 micrometer range, suitable for therapeutic uses.

Contribution

A novel microfluidic approach enabling controlled production of monodisperse microbubbles smaller than 5 micrometers.

Findings

Produces bubbles in the 3-5 μm range

Flow transitions to a singular mode for stable bubble emission

Method achieves high monodispersity and control

Abstract

We present a novel microfluidic method to produce quasi-monodisperse bubbles with diameters from tens to very few microns. A gaseous rivulet flows over the shallow groove printed on a T-junction exit channel. The triple contact line delimiting the rivulet is pinned to the groove edges. The rivulet breaks up into bubbles much smaller than the exit channel. When operating under adequate conditions, the flow transitions toward a singular mode where the rivulet remains quasi-static and emits bubbles smaller than the groove width. This allows the production of bubbles with diameters in the 3-5 $\mu$m range, which is preferable for relevant therapeutical applications.