Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to microfluidics, and to spray drying and other drying techniques. In some aspects, an article containing one or more channels or microfiuidic channels is used to mix one or more fluids prior to spray drying. The mixing may occur immediately before the fluids are expelled through a nozzle or other opening into a drying region of the spray dryer. In one set of embodiments, for example, a first fluid is exposed to a second fluid, then the fluids are exposed to air or other gases before being expelled through a nozzle. In certain instances, the first fluid may contain a dissolved species that may precipitate upon exposure to the second fluid; such precipitation may occur immediately before expulsion through a nozzle or other opening, thereby resulting in controlled precipitation as part of the spray drying process.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to microfluidics, and to spray drying and other drying techniques. By at least partially drying fluids within a microfluidic channel, instead of or in addition to conventional spray drying techniques, better control of the drying process can be achieved in certain aspects of the invention. In addition, various embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems and methods for drying fluids contained within a channel such as a microfluidic channel. For example, a fluid may be partially or completely dried within a microfluidic channel, prior to being sprayed into a collection region. In some embodiments, gases such as air may be directed into a channel containing a fluid, which may facilitate drying of the fluid. In some cases, the fluid may be accelerated due to the introduction of gases into the channel, and in certain embodiments, droplets of fluid may be disrupted to form smaller droplets as a result. In certain cases, the fluids may also be dried to form supersaturated droplets.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to particles, including particles for drug delivery and other applications. Certain aspects of the invention are generally directed to particles comprising a shell and an interior at least partially contained by the shell. In some embodiments, the particles may be treated to enhance the containment of the interior, for example to reduce transport of an agent into or out of the interior. Such particles may exhibit increased ability to encapsulate agents and/or increased storage life (e.g., due to reduced leakage). For instance, in certain embodiments, any defects, such as cracks, pores, etc. within the shell may be sealed or otherwise treated to reduce transport therethrough, for example, with a solid. In some embodiments, for instance, a first reactant in the interior of a particle may come into contact with a second reactant outside of the particle to form a solid, or other suitable product. The shell may also be treated, e.g., at a later point in time, to cause release of an agent contained within the interior, in certain aspects. For example, the shell may be heated to cause the release of the agent from the particle, or the shell may be exposed to chemical or enzymatic degradation, or a change in osmolarity, to cause release of an agent. Still other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such particles, kits or devices including such particles, or the like.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to emulsions, and more particularly, to double and other multiple emulsions. Certain aspects of the present invention are generally directed to the creation of double emulsions and other multiple emulsions at a common junction of microfluidic channels. In some cases, the microfluidic channels at the common junction may have substantially the same hydrophobicity. In one set of embodiments, a device may include a common junction of six or more channels, where a first fluid flows through one channel, a second fluid flows through two channels, and a third or carrying fluid flows through two more channels, such that a double emulsion of a first droplet of the first fluid, contained in a second droplet of the second fluid, contained by the carrying fluid, flows away from the common junction through a sixth channel. Other aspects of the invention are generally directed to methods of making and using such systems, kits involving such systems, emulsions created using such systems, or the like.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to colloidal systems, which may include colloidal particles and/or other types of particles. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to a system comprising fluidic droplets that can be at least partially solidified, e.g., to form colloidal particles. In some embodiments, particles comprising an at least partially solid outer phase encapsulating an inner phase are formed. The inner phase may be any phase, e.g., a solid, a liquid, or a gas. In some cases, solidifying at least a portion of the outer phase of the droplets to form particles may increase the stability of the particles and/or the colloidal system containing the particles. In one set of embodiments, melting or liquefying the outer phase of the particles (for example, by heating the particle to a temperature above a threshold temperature) can allow release of an agent contained within the inner phase, and/or allow the inner phase to coalesce with a phase external to the particles. The melting temperature of the outer phase can be controlled in some embodiments such that the outer phase will melt above a predetermined temperature. In some embodiments, the particles may be formed to be essentially free of an auxiliary stabilizing agent. In some embodiments, an agent may be encapsulated within a particle with relatively high efficiency. Other aspects of the invention are generally directed to methods of making and using such colloidal systems, e.g., containing such particles, kits involving such colloidal systems, or the like.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a polymerization process involving the steps of generating monomer micro-volumes in a microfluidic device, feeding the monomer micro-volumes through the at least one first microfluidic channel towards a monomer feed point at which the monomer micro-volumes enter into or onto a volume of a non-aqueous liquid and form aqueous monomer droplets, allowing the aqueous monomer droplets to flow towards a polymer bead discharge point, initiating polymerisation of the aqueous monomer droplets to form polymerising beads, removing a suspension of the polymer beads in the non-aqueous liquid from the vessel at the polymer bead discharge point, and recovering water soluble or water swellable polymer beads from the suspension. The present disclosure also includes an apparatus for performing the polymerization process and water soluble or water swellable polymer beads obtained by the polymerization process.
Abstract:
The subject matter of the invention is a method for producing polyurethanes by reaction of a) polyisocyanates with b) compounds having at least two hydrogen atoms reactive with isocyanate groups, characterized in that the component b) contains at least one filler-containing polyol b1) and at least one thixotropic agent bii).