Work

Advances in networking droplets

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Compartmentalization in living systems, where multiple reactions occur in parallel within confined spaces, has inspired the development of droplet networks in the past decade. These fascinating assemblies offer unique and versatile functions that are unattainable by single droplets and have shown their potential as advanced platforms for chemical and biological applications. This review highlights recent progress in the creation and application of droplet networks, covering strategies for generating the droplets and assembling them into functional networks. Key applications such as microreactors, signal conductors, actuators, and power sources are summarized. We also discuss the challenges and future trends in this field, aiming to narrow the gap between fundamental research and real applications.

Source: Droplet

DOI: 10.1002/dro2.173

Authors: Zhejun Chong, Yi Zeng, Youlong Kang, Ke Ding, Xin Du, Zhongze Gu

Institutions: State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Southeast University

Language: English

Topic: Innovative Microfluidic and Catalytic Techniques Innovation

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province

Awards: G1931467226, G5038517296, G7916003609, G8838640570