Physics of multiphase microflows and microdroplets

Multiphase microfluidic applications are very broad, ranging from DNA analysis such as PCR in droplets to chemical synthesis [20]. Optimal design and operation of such systems need insightful understanding of fundamental multiphase flow physics at microscale. In this chapter, we discuss some basic flow physics of multiphase microdroplets. The important dimensionless parameters relating to droplet dynamics are elaborated. We use droplet generation processes as examples to explain rich flow physics involved in microdroplet dynamics