Droplet Screens in Nanovolumes Using Static Conditions

Microfluidic droplet systems have shown great promise in high throughput chemical assays to minimize chemical consumption and increase process efficiency. We report a droplet system that forms nanovolume drops under static conditions. The programmability of drop sizes is determined by geometric configurations and surface tension, and not particularly sensitive to flow rates. The geometry of the device predetermines locations of drops, and thus it is easy to identify the locations of drops and the volumes of the drops within them. Further integration can be made to generate screening assays and utilized in various applications such as crystallization screening and solubility studies. This technology makes hand-operated systems a possibility, since precision control of flow rates is not necessary.