AutoDropProd | Development of a commercially-viable system for the automatic generation of high-throughput well defined single and double microdroplets

Summary
Emulsions are widely used in industries such as foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. However, most of the emulsions used in the industry consist of polydisperse droplets. Emulsions of monodisperse droplets have many advantages, such as higher stability, thus longer shelf life and easier to control physical properties (e.g. viscosity or visual appearance). Small scale production of monodisperse emulsions is easily achievable using microfluidics technology. To increase the production rate of the emulsions to industrial levels and maintain droplet monodispersity, we propose to use parallelization of liquid flows with coupled flow microchips together with a fully automated droplet production system which can monitor droplet sizes and adjust flow rates to compensate for any fluctuations in the system. The next step for the system is production of monodisperse double emulsions, applicable for double drug delivery and other applications. Commercialization of such a system would allow scientists in different laboratories (e.g. pharmacy, biology, genetics, chemistry) to simplify the monodisperse single and double droplet production procedures. At the same time, industry would benefit from the simplified monodisperse emulsion preparation, increase the efficiency and lower costs.

To create such a high throughput automated system I will employ my previous experience from physics, material science and microfluidics. At the same time I will receive training inentrepreneurship from the perspective of a start-up company, increase my knowledge microfluidics system automation and learn effective business communication at the private sector. This experience and acquired knowledge will open new possibilities for me to establish myself in the industry, R&D companies or become more competitivein the scientific community.
Unfold all
/
Fold all
More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/796514
Start date: 01-09-2018
End date: 31-08-2020
Total budget - Public funding: 185 076,00 Euro - 185 076,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Emulsions are widely used in industries such as foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. However, most of the emulsions used in the industry consist of polydisperse droplets. Emulsions of monodisperse droplets have many advantages, such as higher stability, thus longer shelf life and easier to control physical properties (e.g. viscosity or visual appearance). Small scale production of monodisperse emulsions is easily achievable using microfluidics technology. To increase the production rate of the emulsions to industrial levels and maintain droplet monodispersity, we propose to use parallelization of liquid flows with coupled flow microchips together with a fully automated droplet production system which can monitor droplet sizes and adjust flow rates to compensate for any fluctuations in the system. The next step for the system is production of monodisperse double emulsions, applicable for double drug delivery and other applications. Commercialization of such a system would allow scientists in different laboratories (e.g. pharmacy, biology, genetics, chemistry) to simplify the monodisperse single and double droplet production procedures. At the same time, industry would benefit from the simplified monodisperse emulsion preparation, increase the efficiency and lower costs.

To create such a high throughput automated system I will employ my previous experience from physics, material science and microfluidics. At the same time I will receive training inentrepreneurship from the perspective of a start-up company, increase my knowledge microfluidics system automation and learn effective business communication at the private sector. This experience and acquired knowledge will open new possibilities for me to establish myself in the industry, R&D companies or become more competitivein the scientific community.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2017

Update Date

28-04-2024
Images
No images available.
Geographical location(s)
Structured mapping
Unfold all
/
Fold all
Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2017
MSCA-IF-2017