Abstract
We produced jets of two immiscible liquids in a standard microfluidic flow focusing geometry, using semi-dilute aqueous polymer solutions as the external phase and immiscible liquids, oil or photocurable polymers as the internal one. We map out the different flow regimes on a “phase diagram”. Two new flow regimes – oscillatory jet and spout – are observed, as a result of the non-Newtonian behavior of the external phase. In the spout regime, cusp-shaped interfaces form at the junction, emitting extremely small round jets (spouts), with diameters ranging between 1.2 and 7 μm, i.e. an order of magnitude smaller than the microchannel cross-sectional dimensions. These spouts are found to be stable over remarkably long distances. We analyze the properties of the cusps and the spouts in some detail. The system can be utilized to synthesize fibers of micrometric sizes: the fibers we obtained, under different flow conditions, have diameters ranging between 1.8 and 14 μm and lengths ranging between 0.5 mm and 2 centimeters.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
