Microfluidics and Processes

This theme, with its strong emphasis on process engineering, includes both experimental activities and the development of modeling.

Applied to the varied fields of health and cosmetics, this theme covers the study of micromixing, the development of stable single and/or multiple emulsions, and encapsulation by interfacial polycondensation in microfluidic processes. 

On the one hand, the Villermaux-Dushman method, commonly used for micromixture characterization (both batch and continuous) has been optimized by assessing the influence of reagent choice on test results. Ongoing studies are focused on obtaining new reaction kinetics and developing new phenomenological models for obtaining quantities such as micromixing time and local power dissipation.  This work is being carried out in cooperation with the LRGP in Nancy.


We also produce emulsions using glass microchips with channel sizes ranging from 15 to 100 micro-meters. This mode of contact enables us to produce droplets of a constant and extremely controlled size.

In addition to this experimental work, Lattice Boltzmann modeling has been developed to predict the morphology and size of the drops formed. LBM schemes are, in fact, highly suitable tools for modeling two-phase or multi-phase flows with moderate Reynolds numbers.

Within the emulsion, the addition of an interfacial polycondensation reaction is an effective way of producing calibrated polymeric capsules with remarkable size monodispersity.


Contacts :
Nelson Ibaseta : nelson.ibaseta@centrale-marseille.fr
Pierrette Guichardon : pierrette.guichardon@centrale-marseille.fr
Umberto d’Ortona : umberto.d-ortona@univ-amu.fr