Interfacial polymerization within a simplified microfluidic device: capturing capsules.

A simple approach to a microfluidic device is described. The device is composed of flexible tubing and a needle inserted orthogonal to the long axis of the tubing. This design is well suited to creating oil-water interfaces allowing the formation of laminar flows and monodisperse emulsions. The system is characterized by mapping the phases observed as a function of organic phase flow and Reynolds number. In addition, the device allows interfacial polymerization reactions to capture low coefficient of variation capsules. The shell structure and surface are examined by scanning electron microscopy.