Provided according to an aspect of the invention may be an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic, which includes a housing which forms an outer appearance; an internal phase container which is provided in the housing, and which stores internal phase fluid excluding surfactant; an external phase container which is provided in the housing, and which stores external phase fluid excluding surfactant; a channel unit which generates emulsion by mixing the internal phase fluid provided from the internal phase container and the external fluid provided from the external phase container; and an operative unit which provides external force required to form and discharge emulsion at the channel unit by manipulation of a user.

The present invention generally relates to emulsions, and more particularly, to multiple emulsions. In one aspect, multiple emulsions are formed by urging a fluid into a channel, e.g., by causing the fluid to enter the channel as a “jet.” Side channels can be used to encapsulate the fluid with a surrounding fluid. In some cases, multiple fluids may flow through a channel collinearly before multiple emulsion droplets are formed. The fluidic channels may also, in certain embodiments, include varying degrees of hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity. As examples, the fluidic channel may be relatively hydrophilic upstream of an intersection (or other region within the channel) and relatively hydrophobic downstream of the intersection, or vice versa. In some cases, the average cross-sectional dimension may change, e.g., at an intersection. For instance, the average cross-sectional dimension may increase at the intersection. Surprisingly, a relatively small increase in dimension, in combination with a change in hydrophilicity of the fluidic channel, may delay droplet formation of a stream of collinearly-flowing multiple fluids under certain flow conditions; accordingly, the point at which multiple emulsion droplets are formed can be readily controlled within the fluidic channel. In some cases, the multiple droplet may be formed from the collinear flow of fluids at (or near) a single location within the fluidic channel. In addition, unexpectedly, systems such as those described herein may be used to encapsulate fluids in single or multiple emulsions that are difficult or impossible to encapsulate using other techniques, such as fluids with low surface tension, viscous fluids, or viscoelastic fluids. 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.

A magnetic digital microfluidic apparatus for manipulating a liquid droplet containing magnetic particles using a magnetic force, the apparatus comprising: a hydrophobic surface on which the liquid droplet containing magnetic particles can be moved using the magnetic force; and at least one surface energy trap provided to retain at least a portion of the liquid droplet thereon, the at least one surface energy trap comprising a layer of polydopamine. A method of magnetic digital microfluidic manipulation, the method comprising the steps of: a) contacting a liquid droplet on a hydrophobic surface with a polydopamine surface energy trap, the liquid droplet containing magnetic particles; b) retaining at least a portion of the liquid droplet on the surface energy trap; and c) moving at least the magnetic particles with a magnetic force.

The disclosure relates to devices and methods for analyzing particles in a sample. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for cytometry and additional analysis. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a cartridge device and a reader instrument device, wherein the reader instrument device receives, operates, and/or actuates the cartridge device. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of using a device as disclosed herein for analyzing particles in a sample.

The disclosure relates to devices and methods for analyzing particles in a sample. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for cytometry and additional analysis. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a cartridge device and a reader instrument device, wherein the reader instrument device receives, operates, and/or actuates the cartridge device. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of using a device as disclosed herein for analyzing particles in a sample.

The present invention generally relates to emulsions, and more particularly, to multiple emulsions. In one aspect, multiple emulsions are formed by urging a fluid into a channel, e.g., by causing the fluid to enter the channel as a jet. Multiple fluids may flow through a channel collinearly before multiple emulsion droplets are formed. The fluidic channels may also, in certain embodiments, include varying degrees of hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity. In some cases, the average cross-sectional dimension may change, e.g., at an intersection. Unexpectedly, systems such as those described herein may be used to encapsulate fluids in single or multiple emulsions that are difficult or impossible to encapsulate using other techniques, such as fluids with low surface tension, viscous fluids, or viscoelastic fluids. 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.

Provided according to an aspect of the invention may be an apparatus for manufacturing cosmetic, which includes a housing which forms an outer appearance; an internal phase container which is provided in the housing, and which stores internal phase fluid excluding surfactant; an external phase container which is provided in the housing, and which stores external phase fluid excluding surfactant; a channel unit which generates emulsion by mixing the internal phase fluid provided from the internal phase container and the external fluid provided from the external phase container; and an operative unit which provides external force required to form and discharge emulsion at the channel unit by manipulation of a user.

Fluidic devices and methods associated with mixing of fluids in fluidic devices are provided. In some embodiments, a method may involve the mixing of two or more fluids in a channel segment of a fluidic device. The fluids may be in the form of, for example, at least first, second and third fluid plugs, composed of first, second, and third fluids, respectively. The second fluid may be immiscible with the first and third fluids. In certain embodiments, the fluid plugs may be flowed in series in the channel segment, e.g., in linear order, causing the first and third fluids to mix without the use of active components such as mixers. The mixing of fluids in a channel segment as described herein may allow for improved performance and simplification in the design and operations of fluidic devices that rely on mixing of fluids.

A microfluidic synthesis platform includes a microfluidic chip holder that has a computer controlled heating element and cooling element therein. A microfluidic chip is mountable in the microfluidic chip holder. The microfluidic chip is formed by a hydrophobic substrate having patterned thereon a hydrophilic reaction site and a plurality of hydrophilic channels or pathways extending outward from the hydrophilic reaction site and terminating at respective loading sites on the substrate, wherein the hydrophilic channels or pathways are tapered with an increasing width in an inward direction toward the hydrophilic reaction site. A fixture is provided for holding a plurality of non-contact reagent dispensing devices above the microfluidic chip at locations corresponding to the loading sites of the plurality of hydrophilic channels or pathways, the fixture further holding a moveable collection tube disposed above the hydrophilic reaction site of the microfluidic chip for removing droplets containing reaction products.

The present invention provides a micro two-phase droplet generating device that does not require separate through-holes corresponding to a plurality of two-phase dispersed parallel continuous flow channels. The micro two-phase droplet generating device of the present application comprises a row of a plurality of microflow channels, liquid transfer ports, and a slit, and is configured so as to form two-dispersion phase parallel continuous flows at first connection sites between the plurality of microflow channels, in which a first dispersion phase flows, and the slit, through which a second dispersion phase flows. A continuous phase is fed to second connection sites between the plurality of microflow channels, in which the two-dispersion phase parallel continuous flows flow, and another liquid transfer port, which is preferably a second slit, downstream of the slit, and the two-dispersion phase parallel continuous flows are sheared at the second connection sites, whereby two-phase droplets, and in particular, core-shell or Janus two-phase droplets, can be generated, and a product can be collected from a discharge port.