Micrometer-sized Analytical System Using Self-Propelled Droplets

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25620105
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Analytical chemistry
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: TOYOTA Taro 東京大学, 総合文化研究科, 准教授 (80422377)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: エマルション / マイクロ流路デバイス / 自己駆動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The future plan of this study is construction of highly portable microfluidic analytical system. For this goal, we have aimed at using self-propelled oil droplets in the system. When this analytical device is constructed with full comprehension about the mechanism of the self-propelled motion, it is worthwihle for the application of highly portable analytical device with less (or almost zero) external electric power. We found that the derivatives of water-insoluble benzaldehyde formed micrometer-sized oil droplets in a cationic surfactant solution which filled with a microfluidic chip and it exhibited self-propelled motion over 1 h. Moreover, the oil droplets had a potential to response to a gradient of the cationic surfactant concentration or chemical conversion of reactive surfactants.

Free Research Field

コロイド・界面化学