Generation of double emulsions drops through microfluidics as template for encapsulation

Event details

Date	17.05.2018
Hour	16:15 › 16:40
Speaker	Antoine Vian - EPFL STI IMX Soft Materials Laboratory (SMAL)
Location	MED 0 1418
Category	Conferences - Seminars

Abstract Double emulsions drops are small drops contained in larger drops. They can be used as picoliter-sized vessels to conduct chemical or biochemical reactions or to conduct high throughput screening assays. Key to a successful application of these drops is a good stability against coalescence and rupture. Previous studies have shown that the mechanical stability of double emulsion drops increases if their shell is reduced below the µm scale. Unfortunately, the fabrication of double emulsion drops with such thin shells at high throughputs is still challenging. Here, we present a new microfluidic device that reduces the thickness of double emulsion shells to values as low as 250 nm. We demonstrate that the reduction of the shell thickness of double emulsions improves their mechanical stability and lowers their permeability. Moreover those drops can be used as templates for capsule production.

Bio Antoine Vian is studying his PhD in Prof. Esther Amstad’s group where he uses microfluidics as a tool to control encapsulation processes. He entered ESPCI ParisTech (Ecole Superieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielle) after prep class in Stanislas Paris. He did part of his master thesis in Weitz lab in Harvard where he had Esther as his supervisor. He started in September 2014 and he helped her mounting the lab. He also holds a MBA from college des ingenieurs in Paris.