New Chip Holder from Dolomite allows Direct Coupling of Microfluidic Chips

The Mitos Double Chip Holder from Dolomite is a new connector that allows direct interfacing of two microfluidic chips with accurate micro-channel to micro-channel connection via a precision perfluoroelastomer gasket.

Once aligned the connection provides minimal disruption to the fluid flow. In one application, this was demonstrated by the flow of a stream of 50 micron droplets from one chip to another, showing that standard chips can be used to generate double emulsions.

Designed for use with the Mitos Edge Connector 4-way, the Mitos Double Chip Holder H provides eight fluidic connections to 1.6mm OD tubing. Quick to connect and disconnect, the Mitos Double Chip Holder H operates over a wide temperature range (-15⁰C to 150⁰C) and pressure range (up to 10bar) and offers excellent chemical resistance allowing a broad range of solvents and chemicals to be used.

One key application of the Mitos Double Chip Holder H is the generation of double emulsions. Double emulsions have many important applications in nutrition, cosmetics and the pharmaceutical industry, for example allowing an active ingredient or a cell to be enclosed inside a protective outer shell. Creating a double emulsion requires both hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces in different parts of the system, which in a single device can be complex and expensive to achieve. The Mitos Double Chip Holder H provides a simple, time efficient and cost-effective solution. It allows direct coupling of a hydrophobic chip and a hydrophilic chip, enabling users to generate both water-oil-water and oil-water-oil droplets by simply switching the chips around.