<< Droplet breakup is frequently observed in natural and industrial processes (..) Although valuable insights on the breakup mechanisms of single-phase droplets in microchannels have been provided over the past decades, the breakup physics of complex emulsions is still poorly understood. >>️
<< Spatially asymmetric Janus microdroplets, distinct from single-phase or double emulsion droplets possessing one uniform interface with the ambient phase, are anticipated to show unique breakup behaviors, which has not been explored. >>️
AA << conduct both microfluidic experiments and three-dimensional lattice Boltzmann simulations to investigate the dynamic breakup of ionic liquid (IL)-water Janus droplets in an assembled 3D-printed microchannel with a bifurcation. >>️
<< Three different flow regimes are identified: (i) division into two daughter Janus droplets, (ii) breakup into a single-phase droplet and a smaller Janus droplet, and (iii) nonbreakup. >>️
AA << find that the strong constraint effect of the main channel and large Ca_av (average capillary numbers) values are essential to the symmetrical breakup of Janus droplets. The tunnel between the mother droplet and the wall of the main channel, which allows the lateral shift of the Janus droplet, and moderate flow rates facilitate the breakup of the IL single-phase portion of Janus droplets. >>
<< Through 90° rotation of the splitting microchannel, (AA) elucidate the distinctions in Janus droplet behaviors under two baffle orientations. Potential impacts of the oblique flow characteristic of [bmim]FeCl4-water Janus droplets on the droplet breakup are discussed. >>️
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Hao Wang, Shiteng Wang, et al. Dynamic breakup of Janus droplet in a bifurcating microchannel. Phys. Rev. Fluids 9, 064203. Jun 11, 2024.
Keywords: gst, Janus, drop, droplet, droploid