Simple and Highly Efficient Droplet Merging Method using Viscosity Difference

점도 차이를 이용한 간단하고 효율적인 액적의 병합 방법

Simple and highly efficient droplet merging method is proposed, which enables two nanoliter or picoliter droplets to merge regularly in a straight microchannel. We observe that two droplets of the same size but of different viscosities are merged by velocity difference induced as they are transported with the carrier fluid. To make viscosity difference, the mass ratio of water and glycerol is varied. Two droplets of the same size or of different sizes are generated alternatingly in the cross channel by controlling flowrates. This droplet merging method can be used to mix or encapsulate one target sample with another material, so that it can be applied to cell lysis, particle synthesis, drug discovery, hydrogel-bead production, and so on.