Formation of monodispersed microspheres from microfabricated channel array

Microspheres (MS), such as emulsion droplets, multiple emulsions, microparticles, microcapsules, and liposomes have been utilized in various industries. The authors proposed a novel microfabricated device for making super-monodispersed emulsion droplets from microchannel (MC) array. The average diameter and the coefficient of variation of the prepared emulsion were 21.3 /spl mu/m and 4.1%. Using this emulsification technique, the authors prepared the monodispersed solid lipid MS. High melting point edible oils such as hydrogenated fish oil and tripalmitin were used for solid lipid MS. Monodispersed emulsion droplets composed of high melting point edible oil were prepared from MC at 70/spl deg/C. The prepared emulsion was recovered from the module and cooled down at room temperature, and then the solid lipid MS suspension was obtained. The prepared microspheres had the diameters of approximately 21.7 /spl mu/m and the coefficient of variation less than 3.6%. Effects of different surfactants, pressure difference on MC emulsification and a diameter distribution of prepared droplets were studied.