Programmable fluidic droplet generation
A programmable fluidic device for generating droplets with resolutions of micrometer in size and milliseconds in generation timing is provided. The programmable fluidic device has a valve forming a droplet cutter, which contains a fluid deflectable membrane capable of controlling the flow of a dispensing fluid from a fluidic dispensing channel. The programmable fluidic device is able to perform temporal control over the droplet generation independent from the size control.
1. A fluidic system comprising a micro-sized or smaller-sized fluidic droplet generating unit for controlling an interval during which droplets are generated independent from controlling a size of the droplets, wherein the droplet generating unit comprises:
a plurality of fluid dispensing channels;
a droplet transportation channel fluidically coupled with each of the fluid dispensing channels forming a plurality of T-junctions;
one or more pressure controllable valves coupled to each of the fluid dispensing channels where the fluid dispensing channels meet the droplet transportation channel, wherein each of the valves have a piezoelectric pressure deflectable membrane controlled by an electric signal to generate micro-sized or smaller-sized droplets; and
a controller operatively coupled with the valves, wherein the controller is configured to manipulate the valves such that a first droplet from one of the dispensing channels is injected into a second droplet as the second droplet moves along the transportation channel.
2. The fluidic system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure deflectable membrane is able to stop a fluid dispensed via the fluid dispensing channels when the signal is applied to the deflectable membrane.
3. The fluidic system of claim 1 , wherein the size of the droplets is controlled by a dispensing duration controlled by the valve.
4. The fluidic system of claim 1 , wherein the interval of the droplet generation is controlled by an opening time of the pressure controllable valve.
5. A fluidic reaction method comprising:
a. timing a moving droplet in a first fluid stream in a first fluidic channel; and
b. injecting an amount of a chemical substance in micro-sized or smaller-sized scale into the moving droplet from a second fluidic channel when the moving droplet arrives in a proximity of an outlet of the second fluidic channel, wherein the injecting is controlled by a pressure valve actuated by a second fluid and having a piezoelectric pressure deflectable membrane.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising forming the moving droplet by a droplet generator.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the droplet generator is located approximately at the junction of the second fluidic channel and the first fluidic channel.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the droplet generator comprises a fluid controllable valve.
9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the moving droplet and the chemical substance form a closed boundary within a stream of the first fluid.
10. The method of claim 5 further comprising merging the chemical substance with the moving droplet and becoming a second droplet.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising causing the second droplet mixing more thoroughly by passing the second droplet through a section of a non-linear fluidic channel.
12. The method of claim 10 further comprising transporting the second droplet in a section of fluidic channel allowing a progress of a chemical reaction.