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DropChip

The DropChip is ideal for droplet generation applications. Compatible with ExiGo, UniGo and 4U microfluidic pumps.

DropChip Technical Notes

The DropChip contains three droplet generators and a flow splitter (Y-junction channel) for splitting the continuous phase (oil or water). The frequency and size of the droplets can vary depending on several factors: channel dimensions; flow rates; oil type; surfactant type and surfactant concentration. The fluidic ports allow the user to plug directly a 25 Gauge needle into the inlet without using any additional glue or connector. Available with a range of different channel sizes and as either hydrophobic to achieve water-in-oil droplets or hydrophilic to achieve oil-in-water droplets.

DROPLET GENERATION ASSAYS with oil and water phases producing uniform, stable, mono-dispersed droplets
CELL & PARTICLE ENCAPSULATION ASSAYS easily achieved with splitter and dual-injection flow focusing droplet generator
REUSABLE & COST-EFFECTIVE: 1 x Flow splitter and 3 x Droplet Generator junctions on-chip with 2 different designs for single or dual injection of dispersed phase
FLOW SPLITTER & FLOW FOCUSING JUNCTIONS on one single chip enabling a wide range of experimental set-ups
PLUG & PLAY with easy-to-connect tubing with standard 25 gauge needles, no bulky luer connectors
COMPATIBLE WITH MICROFLUIDIC SYRINGE PUMPS & MICROFLUIDIC PRESSURE PUMPS including ExiGo, UniGo and 4U pumps for precise pulse-free stable flow rates
COMPATIBLE WITH STANDARD PIPETTES for easy coating of chips with reagents, e.g. to ensure channel hydrophobicity for water-in-oil droplet generation
COMPATIBLE WITH IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY for cell encapsulation studies

DropChips are available with channels pre-treated as hydrophobic or hydrophilic:

Hydrophobic to achieve water-in-oil droplets
Hydrophilic to achieve oil-in-water droplets

DropChips are available in packs of 2, 5 or 10. Complete connections using tubing sets from our tubing accessories.

_{Hydrophobic channels:}

_{Water-in-oil droplet generation}

_{Hydrophilic channels:}

_{Oil-in-water droplet generation}

Specifications

As illustrated in the schematic below, each DropChip contains:

1 x Flow Splitter
3 x Droplet Generator junctions:
- 2 x Flow-Focusing junctions, single-injection dispersed phase
- 1 x Flow Focusing junction with dual-injection dispersed phase

This gives the user flexibility for experiments in flow focusing with single and dual-injection of dispersed phase. Examples are illustrated in the images below.

_{DropChip Schematic}

_{3 Flow Focusing Droplet Generator Junction & 1 Flow Splitter}

_{DropChip Flow Focusing Junction}

_{Single injection of water-in-oil droplets containing cells}

_{DropChip Flow Focusing Junction}

_{Dual injection of water-in-oil droplets containing cells with reagent}

Chip material	Acrylic plastic
Number of droplet generators per chip	3
Number of splitters per chip	1
Dead volume at input port	0.1μL
Chip dimensions	40mm x 50mm (W x L)
Chip thickness	2.5mm
Channel dimensions	Varies - see table below

DropChip Description	Product Code 2/Pack	Product Code 5/Pack	Product Code 10/Pack
Hydrophilic droplet generation chip For droplets of < 30µm diameter and < 14pL volume	DC-30-30-01P2	DC-30-30-01P5	DC-30-30-01P10
Hydrophilic droplet generation chip For droplets of < 40µm diameter and < 33pL volume	DC-40-40-01P2	DC-40-40-01P5	DC-40-40-01P10
Hydrophilic droplet generation chip For droplets of < 50µm diameter and < 65pL volume	DC-50-50-01P2	DC-50-50-01P5	DC-50-50-01P10
Hydrophilic droplet generation chip For droplets of < 60µm diameter and < 113pL volume	DC-60-60-01P2	DC-60-60-01P5	DC-60-60-01P10
Hydrophilic droplet generation chip For droplets of < 70µm diameter and < 180pL volume	DC-70-70-01P2	DC-70-70-01P5	DC-70-70-01P10
Hydrophilic droplet generation chip For droplets of < 80µm diameter and < 268pL volume	DC-80-80-01P2	DC-80-80-01P5	DC-80-80-01P10
Hydrophobic droplet generation chip For droplets of < 30µm diameter and < 14pL volume	DC-30-30-02P2	DC-30-30-02P5	DC-30-30-02P10
Hydrophobic droplet generation chip For droplets of < 40µm diameter and < 33pL volume	DC-40-40-02P2	DC-40-40-02P5	DC-40-40-02P10
Hydrophobic droplet generation chip For droplets of < 50µm diameter and < 65pL volume	DC-50-50-02P2	DC-50-50-02P5	DC-50-50-02P10
Hydrophobic droplet generation chip For droplets of < 60µm diameter and < 113pL volume	DC-60-60-02P2	DC-60-60-02P5	DC-60-60-02P10
Hydrophobic droplet generation chip For droplets of < 70µm diameter and < 180pL volume	DC-70-70-02P2	DC-70-70-02P5	DC-70-70-02P10
Hydrophobic droplet generation chip For droplets of < 80µm diameter and < 268pL volume	DC-80-80-02P2	DC-80-80-02P5	DC-80-80-02P10

Applications

For high throughput generation or microdroplets and monodispersed emulsions
Droplet Generation for a wide variety of applications:
- Cell / Protein encapsulation and sorting on-chip
- DNA sequencing for target selection / enrichment.
- Sample / reagent mixing and control of reactions on-chip
- DNA amplification
- Biomolecule synthesis
- Diagnostic chips
- Drug discovery

Videos

DROPGEN-CHIP-PRECOAT-2.5

DropGen Chip pre-coat solution; 2.5mL

Chip pre-coating solution for the production of microdroplets; 2.5mL.

DROPGEN-OIL-SURF-10

DropGen Oil & Surfactant solution; 10.0mL

Oil & surfactant solution for the production of microdroplets; 10mL.

DROPGEN-OIL-SURF-50

DropGen Oil & Surfactant solution; 50.0mL

Oil & surfactant solution for the production of microdroplets; 50mL.