Using a Microdevice to Generate Alginate Droplets in Sunflower Oil

Microfluidic devices may provide significant technological advancement in the production of micro and nanoparticles of interest in the pharmaceutical sector, for instance, particles used as drug carriers (Yeh et al., 2013). Indeed, microfluidics enables their production with precise control of the d...

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Main Authors: Letizia Marchetti, Elena Siniscalco, Matteo Antognoli, Sara Tomasi Masoni, Roberto Mauri, Chiara Galletti, Elisabetta Brunazzi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIDIC Servizi S.r.l. 2023-06-01
Series:Chemical Engineering Transactions
Online Access:https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/13376
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author Letizia Marchetti
Elena Siniscalco
Matteo Antognoli
Sara Tomasi Masoni
Roberto Mauri
Chiara Galletti
Elisabetta Brunazzi
author_facet Letizia Marchetti
Elena Siniscalco
Matteo Antognoli
Sara Tomasi Masoni
Roberto Mauri
Chiara Galletti
Elisabetta Brunazzi
author_sort Letizia Marchetti
collection DOAJ
description Microfluidic devices may provide significant technological advancement in the production of micro and nanoparticles of interest in the pharmaceutical sector, for instance, particles used as drug carriers (Yeh et al., 2013). Indeed, microfluidics enables their production with precise control of the dimensional distribution, not achievable with conventional beaker methods. The particle size is crucial for the optimal operation, thus representing a key target along with the generation frequency. The device geometry, properties, and flow rates of the fluids are the main parameters that affect the generation process. In this work, we investigate the production of alginate droplets in an X-shaped microdevice (Tomasi Masoni et al., 2022). More specifically, we feed an alginate solution in sunflower oil working in the dripping regime. Experimental visualizations are carried out for different flow rates and concentrations of the surfactant to comprehend their effect on droplet formation. Interestingly, we identify operating conditions that prevent the formation of satellite droplets to preserve a narrow dimensional distribution.
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spelling doaj.art-e0d0c90b2cb64357b772b10a5721e1be2023-06-30T22:32:13ZengAIDIC Servizi S.r.l.Chemical Engineering Transactions2283-92162023-06-0110010.3303/CET23100054Using a Microdevice to Generate Alginate Droplets in Sunflower OilLetizia MarchettiElena SiniscalcoMatteo AntognoliSara Tomasi MasoniRoberto MauriChiara GallettiElisabetta BrunazziMicrofluidic devices may provide significant technological advancement in the production of micro and nanoparticles of interest in the pharmaceutical sector, for instance, particles used as drug carriers (Yeh et al., 2013). Indeed, microfluidics enables their production with precise control of the dimensional distribution, not achievable with conventional beaker methods. The particle size is crucial for the optimal operation, thus representing a key target along with the generation frequency. The device geometry, properties, and flow rates of the fluids are the main parameters that affect the generation process. In this work, we investigate the production of alginate droplets in an X-shaped microdevice (Tomasi Masoni et al., 2022). More specifically, we feed an alginate solution in sunflower oil working in the dripping regime. Experimental visualizations are carried out for different flow rates and concentrations of the surfactant to comprehend their effect on droplet formation. Interestingly, we identify operating conditions that prevent the formation of satellite droplets to preserve a narrow dimensional distribution.https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/13376
spellingShingle Letizia Marchetti
Elena Siniscalco
Matteo Antognoli
Sara Tomasi Masoni
Roberto Mauri
Chiara Galletti
Elisabetta Brunazzi
Using a Microdevice to Generate Alginate Droplets in Sunflower Oil
Chemical Engineering Transactions
title Using a Microdevice to Generate Alginate Droplets in Sunflower Oil
title_full Using a Microdevice to Generate Alginate Droplets in Sunflower Oil
title_fullStr Using a Microdevice to Generate Alginate Droplets in Sunflower Oil
title_full_unstemmed Using a Microdevice to Generate Alginate Droplets in Sunflower Oil
title_short Using a Microdevice to Generate Alginate Droplets in Sunflower Oil
title_sort using a microdevice to generate alginate droplets in sunflower oil
url https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/13376
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