In cell tradition platforms, droplets will be used to develop cells in a managed setting, which might help to enhance cell viability and proliferation
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Scientists on the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a novel technique to encapsulate liquid droplets used for various applications, together with single crystal progress and cell tradition.
“The technique exploits the capillary effect — the rise of a liquid through a narrow space — to coat droplets in a composite shell containing oil-loving and hydrophobic particles. It offers the ability to tune the shell thickness over a wide range, allowing the encapsulation of droplets of different sizes,” mentioned IISc.
The research was printed in Nature Communications.
Significance of droplets
Droplets are necessary in quite a lot of fields. “In microreactors, droplets can be used to create different reaction environments or mix different chemicals. In drug delivery systems, droplets can be used to deliver drugs or other agents to specific tissues or organs. In crystallisation studies, droplets can be used to control the growth of crystals. And in cell culture platforms, droplets can be used to grow cells in a controlled environment, which can help to improve cell viability and proliferation,” mentioned lead researcher Rutvik Lathia, a PhD pupil on the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), IISc.
However, there are a number of challenges in utilizing such droplets. They are susceptible to contamination from the ambient setting, the benefit and success of a selected course of relies upon rather a lot on the floor they’re dropped on, they usually can vanish into skinny air fairly quick. While encapsulating droplets with liquids or solids that don’t combine with the droplets (like water droplets inside an oil shell) is a believable answer to keep away from these points, making a shell that’s hardy, steady and has an adjustable thickness at a brilliant tiny scale has confirmed elusive to date.
Cloaking methodology
To handle these challenges, Prosenjit Sen, Associate Professor at CeNSE, and his staff have developed a brand new capillary force-assisted cloaking methodology to lure droplets inside colloidal particles and liquid-infused surfaces.
“Our method of encapsulating droplets introduces a multitude of new opportunities in the realm of droplet-related applications. The tunable nature of the shells, both solid and liquid, allows for precise control over various parameters, making it versatile for applications in chemistry, biology, and materials science,” mentioned Professor Sen.
The researchers used these coated droplets to develop single crystals efficiently. They may additionally use the coated droplets for organic applications similar to 3D cell tradition and rising yeast cells within the lab with improved success charges.
