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Numerical Modelling for the Droplets Formation in Microfluidics - A Review

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Abstract

Microfluidic technology has advantages in producing high-quality droplets with monodispersity which is promising in chemical engineering, biological medicine and so on. An in-depth study on the underlying mechanism of droplet formation in microfluidics is of great significance, and to understand it, numerical simulation is highly beneficial. This article reviews the substantial numerical methods used to study the fluid dynamics in microfluidic droplet formation, mainly including the continuum methods and mesoscale methods. Moreover, the principles of various methods and their applications in droplets formation in microfluidics have been thoroughly discussed, establishing the guidelines to further promote the numerical research in microfluidic droplet formation. The potential directions of numerical modelling for droplet formation in microfluidics are also given.

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This work is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52006187).

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  1. College of Electrical, Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225127, People’s Republic of China

    Liangyu Wu, Jian Qian, Xuyun Liu, Cheng Yu & Xiangdong Liu

  2. Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210096, People’s Republic of China

    Suchen Wu

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Liangyu Wu, Jian Qian and Xuyun Liu wrote the main manuscript text. Suchen Wu wrote the numerical methods. Cheng Yu revised the manuscript. Xiangdong Liu designed the project. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Wu, L., Qian, J., Liu, X. et al. Numerical Modelling for the Droplets Formation in Microfluidics - A Review. Microgravity Sci. Technol. 35, 26 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12217-023-10053-0

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