The material's behaviors are strongly related to the spatial arrangement of their fundamental building blocks. In this Ph.D. work, we aim at developing a novel approach for high-throughput colloidal clusters synthesis and understanding the related physics. After having explored various different techniques to elaborate the cluster entities, we have chosen to focus our study on a hydrodynamic-assisted assembly mechanism based on dipolar interaction. Through the use of dedicated two-layer microfluidic devices and by decoupling T-junction production and step emulsification, we demonstrate the direct assembling of droplets into clusters (of the adhesive emulsions). A rich variety of configurations, either stationary or oscillatory are observed. We have investigated the effect of the hydrodynamics as well as the physicochemical conditions on the clustering process. Moreover, more complex clusters such as anisotropic ones have been successfully generated by integrating some additional functionalities to our microfluidic chips. These features are potentially interesting to access new microstructured colloidal materials.

Microdroplet technology has recently emerged to provide new and diverse applications via microfluidic functionality, especially in various areas of biology and chemistry. This book, then, gives an overview of the principle components and wide-ranging applications for state-of-the-art of droplet-based microfluidics. Chapter authors are internationally-leading researchers from chemistry, biology, physics and engineering that present various key aspects of micrdroplet technology -- fundamental flow physics, methodology and components for flow control, applications in biology and chemistry, and a discussion of future perspectives. This book acts as a reference for academics, post-graduate students, and researcher wishing to deepen their understand of microfluidics and introduce optimal design and operation of new droplet-based microfluidic devices for more comprehensive analyte assessments.

This comprehensive handbook presents fundamental aspects, fabrication techniques, introductory materials on microbiology and chemistry, measurement techniques, and applications of microfluidics and nanofluidics. The second volume focuses on topics related to experimental and numerical methods. It also covers fabrication and applications in a variety of areas, from aerospace to biological systems. Reflecting the inherent nature of microfluidics and nanofluidics, the book includes as much interdisciplinary knowledge as possible. It provides the fundamental science background for newcomers and advanced techniques and concepts for experienced researchers and professionals.

The self-assembly of polystyrene-stabilized cadmium sulfide nanoparticles (PS-CdS) with amphiphilic stabilizing chains of polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PS-b-PAA) into colloidal quantum dot compound micelles (QDCMs) is studied on two-phase gas-liquid segmented microfluidic reactors. The resulting particle sizes are found to arise from the interplay of shear-induced coalescence and particle breakup, depending on a combination of chemical and flow conditions. Variation of water content, gas-to-liquid ratio, and total flow rate, enable control of QDCM sizes in the range of 140? 40 nm. The flow-variable shear effect on similar microfluidic reactors is then applied to direct the solution self-assembly of a PS-b-PAA block copolymer into various micelle morphologies. The difference between off-chip and on-chip morphologies under identical chemical conditions is explained by a mechanism of shear-induced coalescence enabled by strong and localized on-chip shear fields, followed by intraparticle chain rearrangements to minimize local free energies. Time-dependent studies of these nanostructures reveal that on-chip kinetic structures will relax to global equilibrium given sufficient time off-chip. Further investigations into the effect of chemical variables on on-chip shear-induced morphologies reveal a combination of thermodynamic and kinetic effects, opening avenues for morphology control via combined chemical (bottom-up) and shear (top-down) forces. An equilibrium phase diagram of off-chip micelle morphologies is constructed and used in conjunction with kinetic considerations to rationalize on-chip mechanisms and morphologies, including cylinders and vesicles, under different chemical conditions. Finally, we extend our strategy of two-phase microfluidic self-assembly of PS-b-PAA to the loading of fluorescent hydrophobic probes (pyrene and naphthalene) with different affinities for the PS core. The on-chip loading approach provides a fast alternate to the slow off-chip method, with implications for the potential development for point-of-care devices for drug loading. On-chip loading results indicate that loading efficiencies are dependent on water content and, to a lesser extent, on flow rate; the results also suggest that the on-chip morphologies of the PS-b-PAA micelles are an important factor in the loading efficiencies.

The global miniature devices market is poised to surpass a valuation of $12–$15 billion USD by the year 2030. Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices are a vital component of this market. Comprising a network of microchannels, electrical circuits, sensors, and electrodes, LOC is a miniaturized integrated device platform used to streamline day-to-day laboratory functions, run cost-effective clinical analyses and curb the need for centralized instrumentation facilities in remote areas. Compact design, portability, ease of operation, low sample volume, short reaction time, and parallel investigation stand as the pivotal factors driving the widespread acceptance of LOC within the biomedical community. In this book, the Editors meticulously explore LOC through three key ‘Ts’: Theories (microfluidics, microarrays, instrumentation, software); Technologies (additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, computational thinking, smart consumables, scale-up tactics, and biofouling); and Trends (biomedical analysis, point-of-care diagnostics, personalized healthcare, bioactive synthesis, disease diagnosis, and space applications) This comprehensive text not only provides readers with a thorough understanding of the current advancements in the LOC domain but also offers valuable insights to support the utilization of miniaturized devices for enhanced healthcare practices. Aimed at career researchers looking for instruction in the topic and newcomers to the area, the book is also useful for undergraduate and postgraduate students embarking on new studies or for those interested in reading about the LOC platform.

An introduction to the state-of-the-art of the diverse self-assembly systems Self-Assembly: From Surfactants to Nanoparticles provides an effective entry for new researchers into this exciting field while also giving the state of the art assessment of the diverse self-assembling systems for those already engaged in this research. Over the last twenty years, self-assembly has emerged as a distinct science/technology field, going well beyond the classical surfactant and block copolymer molecules, and encompassing much larger and complex molecular, biomolecular and nanoparticle systems. Within its ten chapters, each contributed by pioneers of the respective research topics, the book: Discusses the fundamental physical chemical principles that govern the formation and properties of self-assembled systems Describes important experimental techniques to characterize the properties of self-assembled systems, particularly the nature of molecular organization and structure at the nano, meso or micro scales. Provides the first exhaustive accounting of self-assembly derived from various kinds of biomolecules including peptides, DNA and proteins. Outlines methods of synthesis and functionalization of self-assembled nanoparticles and the further self-assembly of the nanoparticles into one, two or three dimensional materials. Explores numerous potential applications of self-assembled structures including nanomedicine applications of drug delivery, imaging, molecular diagnostics and theranostics, and design of materials to specification such as smart responsive materials and self-healing materials. Highlights the unifying as well as contrasting features of self-assembly, as we move from surfactant molecules to nanoparticles. Written for students and academic and industrial scientists and engineers, by pioneers of the research field, Self-Assembly: From Surfactants to Nanoparticles is a comprehensive resource on diverse self-assembly systems, that is simultaneously introductory as well as the state of the art.

Self-assembly of Nano- and Micro-structured Materials Using Colloidal Engineering, Volume 12, covers the recent breakthroughs in the design and manufacture of functional colloids at the micro- and nanoscale level. In addition, it provides analyses on how these functionalities can be exploited to develop self-assembly pathways towards nano- and micro-structured materials. As we seek increasingly complex functions for colloidal superstructures, in silico design will play a critical role in guiding experimental fabrication by reducing the element of trial-and-error that would otherwise be involved. In addition to novel experimental approaches, recent developments in computational modelling are also presented, along with an overview of the arsenal of designing tools that are available to the modern materials scientist. Focuses on promoting feedback between experiment, theory and computation in this cross-disciplinary research area Shows how colloid science plays a crucial role in the bottom-up fabrication of nanostructured materials Presents recent developments in computational modelling