The Physics Of Microdroplets

The Physics of Microdroplets gives the reader the theoretical and numerical tools to understand, explain, calculate, and predict the often nonintuitive observed behavior of droplets in microsystems. Microdrops and interfaces are now a common feature in most fluidic microsystems, from biology, to biotechnology, materials science, 3D-microelectronics, optofluidics, and mechatronics. On the other hand, the behavior of droplets and interfaces in today's microsystems is complicated and involves complex 3D geometrical considerations. From a numerical standpoint, the treatment of interfaces separating different immiscible phases is difficult. After a chapter dedicated to the general theory of wetting, this practical book successively details: The theory of 3D liquid interfaces The formulas for volume and surface of sessile and pancake droplets The behavior of sessile droplets The behavior of droplets between tapered plates and in wedges The behavior of droplets in microchannels The effect of capillarity with the analysis of capillary rise The onset of spontaneous capillary flow in open microfluidic systems The interaction between droplets, like engulfment The theory and application of electrowetting The state of the art for the approach of 3D-microelectronics using capillary alignment

Microdroplet technology has recently emerged to provide new and diverse applications via microfluidic functionality, especially in various areas of biology and chemistry. This book, then, gives an overview of the principle components and wide-ranging applications for state-of-the-art of droplet-based microfluidics. Chapter authors are internationally-leading researchers from chemistry, biology, physics and engineering that present various key aspects of micrdroplet technology -- fundamental flow physics, methodology and components for flow control, applications in biology and chemistry, and a discussion of future perspectives. This book acts as a reference for academics, post-graduate students, and researcher wishing to deepen their understand of microfluidics and introduce optimal design and operation of new droplet-based microfluidic devices for more comprehensive analyte assessments.

Labs on Chip: Principles, Design and Technology provides a complete reference for the complex field of labs on chip in biotechnology. Merging three main areas— fluid dynamics, monolithic micro- and nanotechnology, and out-of-equilibrium biochemistry—this text integrates coverage of technology issues with strong theoretical explanations of design techniques. Analyzing each subject from basic principles to relevant applications, this book: Describes the biochemical elements required to work on labs on chip Discusses fabrication, microfluidic, and electronic and optical detection techniques Addresses planar technologies, polymer microfabrication, and process scalability to huge volumes Presents a global view of current lab-on-chip research and development Devotes an entire chapter to labs on chip for genetics Summarizing in one source the different technical competencies required, Labs on Chip: Principles, Design and Technology offers valuable guidance for the lab-on-chip design decision-making process, while exploring essential elements of labs on chip useful both to the professional who wants to approach a new field and to the specialist who wants to gain a broader perspective.

Methods in Enzymology, Volume 646, continues the legacy of this premier serial with quality chapters authored by leaders in the field. Chapters in this new release include Methods for Studying RNA condensation/granules in vitro, RNA Dynamics in Intracellular Condensates, Methods for Viscoelastic Characterization of Liquid and Gel Condensates, Incorporating Proteins into Complex Coacervates, Methods for Study of Liquid-Liquid Phase Coexistence in Proximity to Lipid Membranes, Preparation of and Solute Partitioning in Multiphase Coacervates, Reversible photocontrol of DNA coacervation, Enzymatic Control over Coacervation, and much more. Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors Presents the latest release in the Methods in Enzymology series

This book presents the basic physics of ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid crystals in a simple and transparent way. It treats both the basic and the applied aspects of ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid crystal research, starting from the discovery of ferroelectricity in liquid crystals in 1975 and ending with the resonant X-ray experiment in ferrielectric and antiferrielectric phases in 1998. Particular attention is paid to the optical properties, electrooptic effects, phase transitions and experimental methods used in liquid crystal research. Special chapters are devoted to dielectric spectroscopy, light scattering, NMR, STM and AFM in complex fluids. The more than 300 illustrations help to present the basic physics of liquid crystalline ferroelectrics and antiferroelectrics in a way that can be easily followed by students, engineers and scientists dealing with liquid crystal research. Contents:Symmetry, ferroelectricity and antiferroelectricity in liquid crystalsChiral phases of achiral moleculesBroken symmetry and elementary excitationsLandau theory of ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid crystalsOrder parameter dynamics, soft modes and gapless phasonsFerroelectric liquid crystals in external magnetic and DC electric fieldsPhase transitions in thin cellsSurface-induced polaritySoliton and plane wave dynamics in thin cellsFreely suspended filmsLinear optics of helical structuresBirefringence, optical rotation and quasielastic light scattering in ferroelectric and antiferrolectric phasesLinear electrooptic response of ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid crystalsMagnetic-field induced biaxialityDielectric dispersionSoft and phase mode dynamicsDielectric response of a multisoliton latticePolarization noiseDeuteron NMR in ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid crystalsAnisotropy of the critical magnetic fieldPolar and quadrupolar biasing of molecular rotation around the long molecular axis14N NQR and 13C NMR in tilted smectic phasesSynclinic versus anticlinic ordering in tilted smecticsOrder parameter dynamics and a doubling of a smectic unit cell in antiferroelectric liquid crystalsOptical properties of the antiferroelectric phaseDielectric, linear and nonlinear electrooptic response of the antiferroelectric phaseFerroelectricity, antiferroelectricity and intermediate phasesDiscrete models of intermediate phasesSTM and AFM in complex liquidsSurface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal displaysUltrafast electroclinic effectDeformed helix mode ferroelectric displaysChevrons in SSFC displaysIon-director coupling and depolarization field in SSFLCDLandau theory of second order phase transitionsSurvey of different experimental methodsNuts and bolts collection Readership: Graduate students, engineers and scientists dealing with liquid crystals and optical display. keywords:Liquid Crystals;Soft Matter;Ferroelectricity;Antiferroelectricity;Ferroelectric;Antiferroelectric;Phase Transitions;Optics;High Magnetic Fields;Solitons;Light Scattering;Displays “… this is an excellent and comprehensive book, especially for those who prefer a more formal treatment of the topics … Because many of the topics apply to nonferroelectric liquid crystals as well, I believe that this book has an important place on the shelf of anybody who deals with liquid crystals; it is also an absolute 'must' for anybody who works on FLCs and AFLCs.” Charles Rosenblatt Case Western Reserve University “The structure of the book is extremely logical and has been well thought out … The real strength of the book is in the clear and concise explanations the authors give of many aspects of underlying theory and the implications of various experimental results. Many of the discussions of conflicting data and ideas are also presented in an unbiased way. This makes the book eminently readable, not only as a resource for advanced researchers in the area, but also as a first introduction for new graduate students … This is an essential reference work and should occupy a place on all liquid-crystal bookcases.” Journal of Applied Crystallography

Nanodroplets, the basis of complex and advanced nanostructures such as quantum rings, quantum dots and quantum dot clusters for future electronic and optoelectronic materials and devices, have attracted the interdisciplinary interest of chemists, physicists and engineers. This book combines experimental and theoretical analyses of nanosized droplets which reveal many attractive properties. Coverage includes nanodroplet synthesis, structure, unique behaviors and their nanofabrication, including chapters on focused ion beam, atomic force microscopy, molecular beam epitaxy and the "vapor-liquid- solid" route. Particular emphasis is given to the behavior of metallic nanodroplets, water nanodroplets and nanodroplets in polymer and metamaterial nanocomposites. The contributions of leading scientists and their research groups will provide readers with deeper insight into the chemical and physical mechanisms, properties, and potential applications of various nanodroplets.

Open microfluidics or open-surface is becoming fundamental in scientific domains such as biotechnology, biology and space. First, such systems and devices based on open microfluidics make use of capillary forces to move fluids, without any need for external energy. Second, the "openness" of the flow facilitates the accessibility to the liquid in biotechnology and biology, and reduces the weight in space applications. This book has been conceived to give the reader the fundamental basis of open microfluidics. It covers successively The theory of spontaneous capillary flow, with the general conditions for spontaneous capillary flow, and the dynamic aspects of such flows. The formation of capillary filaments which are associated to small contact angles and sharp grooves. The study of capillary flow in open rectangular, pseudo-rectangular and trapezoidal open microchannels. The dynamics of open capillary flows in grooves with a focus on capillary resistors. The case of very viscous liquids is analyzed. An analysis of suspended capillary flows: such flows move in suspended channels devoid of top cover and bottom plate. Their accessibility is reinforced, and such systems are becoming fundamental in biology. An analysis of “rails” microfluidics, which are flows that move in channels devoid of side walls. This geometry has the advantage to be compatible with capillary networks, which are now of great interest in biotechnology, for molecular detection for example. Paper-based microfluidics where liquids wick flat paper matrix. Applications concern bioassays such as point of care devices (POC). Thread-based microfluidics is a new domain of investigation. It is seeing presently many new developments in the domain of separation and filtration, and opens the way to smart bandages and tissue engineering. The book is intended to cover the theoretical aspects of open microfluidics, experimental approaches, and examples of application.

Open microfluidics or open-surface is becoming fundamental in scientific domains such as biotechnology, biology and space. First, such systems and devices based on open microfluidics make use of capillary forces to move fluids, without any need for external energy. Second, the “openness” of the flow facilitates the accessibility to the liquid in biotechnology and biology, and reduces the weight in space applications. This book has been conceived to give the reader the fundamental basis of open microfluidics. It covers successively The theory of spontaneous capillary flow, with the general conditions for spontaneous capillary flow, and the dynamic aspects of such flows. The formation of capillary filaments which are associated to small contact angles and sharp grooves. The study of capillary flow in open rectangular, pseudo-rectangular and trapezoidal open microchannels. The dynamics of open capillary flows in grooves with a focus on capillary resistors. The case of very viscous liquids is analyzed. An analysis of suspended capillary flows: such flows move in suspended channels devoid of top cover and bottom plate. Their accessibility is reinforced, and such systems are becoming fundamental in biology. An analysis of “rails” microfluidics, which are flows that move in channels devoid of side walls. This geometry has the advantage to be compatible with capillary networks, which are now of great interest in biotechnology, for molecular detection for example. Paper-based microfluidics where liquids wick flat paper matrix. Applications concern bioassays such as point of care devices (POC). Thread-based microfluidics is a new domain of investigation. It is seeing presently many new developments in the domain of separation and filtration, and opens the way to smart bandages and tissue engineering. The book is intended to cover the theoretical aspects of open microfluidics, experimental approaches, and examples of application.