The microsieve membrane emulsification process generates monodisperse droplets by dispersing one fluid into a second, immiscible fluid through a precise microsieve. Microsieves have millions of tiny pores that are of the same size and shape. Because of the homogeneous pore size, every droplet generated by the microsieve membrane is the same, (see this video of droplet formation by microsieves ). This results in highly uniform, reproducible and size-controlled droplets. The droplets can be transformed into particles after an appropriate solidification step.
A unique feature of the microsieve membrane emulsification technology is that the droplet size is independent from the precise formulation. Which means that the size is solely determined by the membrane design (visit our shop for more product information). The technology offers several advantages such as:
- optimal droplet/particle size
- droplets 2 – 100 μm, particles 50nm – 150 μm
- monodisperse: C.V. ≈ 5 %
Monodisperse PLA microspheres (10 micron-diameter) made using microsieve emulsification - reproducible, robust and scalable
- encapsulation/double emulsions
- large freedom in formulation
- low shear and pressure
- high chemical and thermal resistance
- compatible with aseptic processing
Nanomi currently develops pharmaceutical products based on nano- and microparticles made using the microsieve emulsification process. Nanomi was co-founded by Aquamarijn and is since 2014 a subsidiary of Lupin Limited. Their microfluidic Monosphere Technology brings the precision of the semiconductor industry to the life sciences. It enables the manufacturing of uniform custom-made particles for pharmaceutical as well as life sciences specialty products. The Monosphere Technology is robust, reproducible and cost effective, from laboratory to commercial scale.
Further Reading
- Wagdare, N. A.; Marcelis, A. T. M.; Boom, R. M.; van Rijn, C. J. M., Porous microcapsule formation with microsieve emulsification. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 2011, 355, 453-457
- Schroën, C. G. P. H.; van Rijn, C. J. M.; Boom, R. M., Membrane Emulsification. In Membrane Technologies and Applications, CRC Press: 2011; pp 185-199
- Wagdare, N. A.; Marcelis, A. T. M.; Ho, O. B.; Boom, R. M.; van Rijn, C. J. M., High throughput vegetable oil-in-water emulsification with a high porosity micro-engineered membrane. Journal of Membrane Science 2010, 347, 1-7
- Geerken, M. J.; Lammertink, R. G.; Wessling, M., Interfacial aspects of water drop formation at micro-engineered orifices. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 2007, 312, 460-469,
- Geerken, M. J.; van Zonten, T. S.; Lammertink, R. G. H.; Borneman, Z.; Nijdam, W.; van Rijn, C. J. M.; Wessling, M., Chemical and thermal stability of alkylsilane based coatings for membrane emulsification. Advanced Engineering Materials 2004, 6, 749-754
- van Rijn, C. J. M., Membrane Emulsification. In Nano and Micro Engineered Membrane Technology. Elsevier: Amsterdam, 2004; pp 347-371