Abstract

Microfluidics (within small Batches) at New Frontiers: Under Plasma and Reduced Gravity

Volker Hessel, Professor, The University of Adelaide

With >30 years research in microreactors/microfluidics and >20 years research in flow chemistry, the topic is able to release new innovation potential by bridging the topic cross-disciplinary to other emerging fields of ‘younger age’ with high innovation revolving. First example is a plasma microjet, deeply penetrating a liquid microvolume, to create a thin stagnant liquid layer with large interface. This ‘in-situ microreactor’ achieves greatly enhanced reaction rate. Energy-wise the new process is within best plasma processes and better thanflow chemistry processes. Second example is a gas-liquid plasma reactor that generates micro-bubbles through micro-orifices after passing the electrodes. The bubbles can be tailored by adjusting physical (e.g., surface tension) and plasma (e.g., voltage) parameters. That is key to generating nitrogen fertilizer from air or artificial urine. Last and third example are (microfluidically-made) nanoemulsions as nanofood- and nanomedicine carriers for astronauts in space habitats. The determination of the rheological and fluidical behavior of the nanodroplets, under Earth-simulated reduced gravity conditions, answered the question when does true micro/moon/Mars gravity act and when the experiment is falsified by shear forces.