Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidics shows unique characteristics compared with the typical continuous flow, such as rapid mixing, coalescence, splitting, and trapping. Microfluidic devices can produce the monodispersed microdroplets with a high frequency. From these reasons, microdroplets and emulsions have been employed to next-generation biological assays and diagnostics like digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and digital enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Multicomponent multiple emulsions are also attractive platforms for pharmaceutical applications including drug delivery. Multiple emulsions can encapsulate both of water-soluble and lipophilic compounds into the aqueous and oil phases, respectively. In addition, a sequentially release of encapsulated compounds enables using the multiple emulsions. In this chapter, droplet microfluidics focused on the multicomponent multiple emulsions, and applications for pharmaceuticals are overviewed. Principles of droplet formation using microfluidic devices are firstly introduced from the view point of fluid dynamics. Then, applications of single and multiple microdroplets for pharmaceuticals and drug delivery are finally discussed including mass production.
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