Janus droplet parallel arrangements using a simple Y-channel flow-focusing microfluidic device

Due to its unique advantages such as monodispersity and high throughput, droplet microfluidics has been widely used to generate diverse droplets/particles that have specific structures. Herein, we implemented Janus droplet parallel arrangements in a flow-focusing microchip through regulating corresponding fluid flow rates. Initially, fluorescence dye and PBS buffer solution kept laminar flow before the flow focusing orifice and then was sheared into Janus droplets. Droplet diameter and corresponding generation frequency could be effectively manipulated. Subsequently, the generation of different Janus droplet parallel arrangements (e.g. monolayer, double-layer or three-layer arrangement) could be achieved by fluid regulation. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.