2025/02/24 by A. Rubio, S. Rodríguez-Aparicio, Rubio, A. +5
Engineering · #FOS: Physical sciences #Fluid Dynamics (physics.flu-dyn) #Fluid Dynamics and Mixing #Innovative Microfluidic and Catalytic Techniques Innovation
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2502.17369
openalex publication_date 2025/02/24 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We present a novel microfluidic method to produce quasi-monodisperse bubbles with diameters from tens to very few microns. A gaseous rivulet flows over the shallow groove printed on a T-junction exit channel. The triple contact line delimiting the rivulet is pinned to the groove edges. The rivulet breaks up into bubbles much smaller than the exit channel. When operating under adequate conditions, the flow transitions toward a singular mode where the rivulet remains quasi-static and emits bubbles smaller than the groove width. This allows the production of bubbles with diameters in the 3-5 μm range, which is preferable for relevant therapeutical applications.