| abstract |
The invention relates to methods and devices for generating hydrogel particles having micrometric and submicron dimensions using oxygen-inhibited partial polymerization, and particles generated therefrom. . The methods described generate particles having dimensions independent of the size of the starting polymerizable solution, for example, a microdroplet. In addition, microfluidic flow parameters (e.g., viscosity, flow rate) and photopolymerization process parameters (e.g., intensity and optical exposure time) are controlled to generate particles having specific properties. by the adjustable crosslinking density including elasticity, diffusivity and biomolecular display for various applications, such as drug delivery, tissue engineered tissue scaffolds, and single and multiple cell therapeutic agents. Similarly, property gradients determined by the crosslinking density can be created within single particles by selecting the intensity and duration of optical exposure. In addition to conventional spherical shapes, a suite of non-spherical shapes can be generated by manipulation of microfluidic channel dimensions and other physical parameters and associated processes. |