In this study, we present the multilayered symmetrical droplet splitting microfluidic system for preparation of microspheres. The microfluidic device was fabricated by conventional photolithography and PDMS casting. Multiple layers of microfluidic channels for symmetrical droplet splitting were stacked and integrated into a device. Each layer was designed to obtain 16 microdroplets from one droplet by droplet splitting. The droplet size was controlled with flow rate of dispersed phase (DI-water) and continuous phase (Mineral Oil with 3 wt.% SPAN80) by using a syringe pump. The droplet splitting behavior and production rate were analyzed by high-speed camera and inverted microscope in one layer of the microfluidic device. Additionally, the droplet size and size distribution were observed in each layer of the microfluidic device. The droplet size could be controlled by flow control of two phase flows with high uniformity of droplet size less than 5% coefficient of variation.

We present a multi-sample array device based on a pneumatic system. Solenoid valves were used to control a micro valve in a pneumatic system. The use of a compressor together with a vacuum pump ensured that one outlet could supply both compression and vacuum pressure. The multi-sample array device was fabricated using conventional photolithography and PDMS casting. The device was composed of a multiplexer, sample array, and rinsing. The multiplexer could control four sample solutions injecting into the sample array chamber. Sample solution not arrayed was removed by DI-water from the rinsing inlet. To prevent trapping of microbubbles in the channel during injection of sample solution into the device, surfactant was added in PDMS solution to serve as a hydrophilic surface treatment. As a result, the device could be used as a sample array for 64 cases, using four samples and three columns of three chambers.