JP2008073581A - Microcapsule, microcapsule production device, and microcapsule production method - Google Patents
Microcapsule, microcapsule production device, and microcapsule production method Download PDFInfo
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本発明はマイクロカプセル、マイクロカプセル製造装置及びマイクロカプセル製造方法に関し、例えば３相構造からなるマイクロカプセルの製造に適用して好適なものである。 The present invention relates to a microcapsule, a microcapsule manufacturing apparatus, and a microcapsule manufacturing method, and is suitably applied to, for example, manufacturing a microcapsule having a three-phase structure.
近年、連続相として水相が用いられ、膜となる外相が油相でなるとともに、当該外相に包まれる内相が水相でなる三相構造のマイクロカプセルや、連続相として油相が用いられ、外相が水相でなるとともに、当該外相に包まれる内相が油相でなる三相構造のマイクロカプセルが知られている（例えば、非特許文献１参照）。 In recent years, an aqueous phase is used as a continuous phase, an outer phase to be a film is an oil phase, and a microcapsule having a three-phase structure in which an inner phase surrounded by the outer phase is an aqueous phase, or an oil phase is used as a continuous phase. A microcapsule having a three-phase structure in which an outer phase is an aqueous phase and an inner phase enclosed by the outer phase is an oil phase is known (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).
ところで、このようなマイクロカプセルを製造するマイクロカプセル製造方法としては、特開２００４−２９０９７７号公報に示すような製造方法が知られている。実際上、この製造方法では、図１４に示すように、マイクロチャネル100中を液体状の連続相101が流れており、当該連続相101の流れに交差する向きから外相液体103を供給し、連続相101内の壁部102に薄い層105を形成し得るようになされている。 By the way, as a microcapsule manufacturing method for manufacturing such a microcapsule, a manufacturing method as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-290977 is known. In practice, in this manufacturing method, as shown in FIG. 14, a liquid continuous phase 101 flows in the microchannel 100, and the external phase liquid 103 is supplied from the direction intersecting the flow of the continuous phase 101 to continuously A thin layer 105 can be formed on the wall 102 in the phase 101.
そして、この製造方法では、外相液体103の下流側において、連続相101の流れに交差し、当該薄い層105の下側から内相液体106を供給することで内相液体106を外相液体103で包み込んだ３相構造のマイクロカプセル107を製造し得るようになされている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
しかしながら、このようなマイクロカプセル107では、外相のみを分離する場合、外相及び内相がともに物質の状態を液体状とした水相と油相とでなるため、外相のみを内相から分離することが困難であるという問題があった。 However, in such a microcapsule 107, when only the outer phase is separated, since both the outer phase and the inner phase are composed of a water phase and an oil phase in which the state of the substance is liquid, only the outer phase is separated from the inner phase. There was a problem that was difficult.
そして、上述した製造方法では、外相を形成するために必要な量より多い量の外相液体103を、内相液体106の上流側から連続相103に常に供給し続けているため、内相液体106を供給する箇所やその下流側において常時薄い層105が形成され得る。 In the above-described manufacturing method, the amount of the outer phase liquid 103 larger than the amount necessary for forming the outer phase is always supplied to the continuous phase 103 from the upstream side of the inner phase liquid 106. A thin layer 105 can be formed constantly at the location where the water is supplied or downstream thereof.
このため、この製造方法では、マイクロカプセル107が連続相101内を流れる際に薄い層105と接触することもあり、この場合、製造したマイクロカプセル107が薄い層105と合体してしまうという問題があった。そのため、このような場合には、薄い層105からマイクロカプセル107を分離させる工程が必要となり、その分、製造工程が複雑化するという問題があった。 For this reason, in this manufacturing method, the microcapsules 107 may come into contact with the thin layer 105 when flowing in the continuous phase 101, and in this case, there is a problem that the manufactured microcapsules 107 are combined with the thin layer 105. there were. Therefore, in such a case, a process of separating the microcapsules 107 from the thin layer 105 is required, and there is a problem that the manufacturing process is complicated accordingly.
本発明は以上の点を考慮してなされたもので、内相から外相を容易に分離し得るマイクロカプセル、従来よりも一段と容易にマイクロカプセルを製造し得るマイクロカプセル製造装置及びマイクロカプセル製造方法を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and provides a microcapsule that can easily separate an outer phase from an inner phase, a microcapsule manufacturing apparatus and a microcapsule manufacturing method that can manufacture a microcapsule more easily than before. The purpose is to provide.
本発明の請求項１記載のマイクロカプセルは、液体からなる連続相内に設けられ、外相が前記液体とは異なる外相用液体によって形成されているとともに、前記外相で包み込まれた内相が気体によって形成されていることを特徴とするものである。 The microcapsule according to claim 1 of the present invention is provided in a continuous phase made of a liquid, and the outer phase is formed of an outer phase liquid different from the liquid, and the inner phase encapsulated in the outer phase is made of gas. It is characterized by being formed.
本発明の請求項２記載のマイクロカプセルは、前記液体及び前記気体は、互いに溶解しない又は溶解し難い非溶解性を有することを特徴とするものである。 The microcapsule according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that the liquid and the gas are insoluble or difficult to dissolve.
本発明の請求項３記載のマイクロカプセルは、前記外相用液体及び前記気体は、互いに溶解しない又は溶解し難い非溶解性を有することを特徴とするものである。 The microcapsule according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized in that the external phase liquid and the gas have insolubility that does not dissolve or hardly dissolve.
本発明の請求項４記載のマイクロカプセルは、前記液体及び前記外相用液体は、互いに溶解しない又は溶解し難い非溶解性を有することを特徴とするものである。 The microcapsule according to claim 4 of the present invention is characterized in that the liquid and the external phase liquid are insoluble or difficult to dissolve.
本発明の請求項５記載のマイクロカプセルは、前記連続相が油相及び水相のうちいずれか一方からなり、前記外相が前記油相及び水相のうち前記連続相とは異なる他方の前記油相又は水相からなることを特徴とするものである。 In the microcapsule according to claim 5 of the present invention, the continuous phase is one of an oil phase and an aqueous phase, and the outer phase is the other of the oil phase and the aqueous phase that is different from the continuous phase. It consists of a phase or an aqueous phase.
本発明の請求項６記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置は、内相が外相で包み込まれたマイクロカプセルを連続相内に製造するマイクロカプセル製造装置において、前記連続相となる液体が流れる連続相用流路と、前記内相となる気体が流れる内相用流路と、該内相用流路の両側部から前記外相となる１種又は２種以上の外相用液体を供給し、前記１種又は２種以上の外相用液体で前記気体を両側から挟み込んだ層流体を形成する合流部と、前記連続相の流れと交差する向きから前記連続相用流路に前記層流体を供給する供給部とを備え、前記連続相用流路内では、前記気体を前記外相用液体で包み込んだ状態で所定の大きさまで膨らんだ膨張部が形成され、該膨張部が前記連続相による液圧により前記層流体から分離することを特徴とするものである。 The microcapsule production apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention is a microcapsule production apparatus for producing a microcapsule in which an inner phase is wrapped in an outer phase in a continuous phase, and a flow path for continuous phase in which a liquid serving as the continuous phase flows. And an internal phase flow path through which the gas serving as the internal phase flows, and one or more external phase liquids serving as the external phase are supplied from both sides of the internal phase flow path. A merging portion that forms a laminar fluid in which the gas is sandwiched from both sides with a liquid for an external phase of more than a seed, and a supply portion that supplies the laminar fluid to the continuous phase flow channel from a direction that intersects the flow of the continuous phase In the continuous phase flow path, an inflated portion that swells to a predetermined size in a state where the gas is encased in the outer phase liquid is formed, and the inflated portion is separated from the layer fluid by the liquid pressure by the continuous phase. Characterized by separation A.
本発明の請求項７記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置は、前記液体及び前記気体は、互いに溶解しない又は溶解し難い非溶解性を有することを特徴とするものである。 The microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7 of the present invention is characterized in that the liquid and the gas have insolubility that does not dissolve or hardly dissolve.
本発明の請求項８記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置は、前記外相用液体及び前記気体は、互いに溶解しない又は溶解し難い非溶解性を有することを特徴とするものである。 The microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8 of the present invention is characterized in that the external phase liquid and the gas are insoluble or difficult to dissolve.
本発明の請求項９記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置は、前記液体及び前記外相用液体は、互いに溶解しない又は溶解し難い非溶解性を有することを特徴とするものである。 The microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9 of the present invention is characterized in that the liquid and the external phase liquid are insoluble or difficult to dissolve.
本発明の請求項１０記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置は、前記連続相が油相及び水相のうちいずれか一方からなり、前記外相が前記油相及び水相のうち前記連続相とは異なる他方の前記油相又は水相からなることを特徴とするものである。 In the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10 of the present invention, the continuous phase is composed of one of an oil phase and an aqueous phase, and the outer phase is the other of the oil phase and the aqueous phase different from the continuous phase. It consists of said oil phase or water phase.
本発明の請求項１１記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置は、前記内相用流路の一方側から前記外相用液体を供給する第１の外相用流路と、前記内相用流路の他方側から前記外相用液体を供給する第２の外相用流路とを備え、前記第１の外相用流路及び前記第２の外相用流路は、共通流路から分岐して形成されていることを特徴とするものである。 According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the outer phase liquid is supplied from one side of the inner phase flow path, and the other side of the inner phase flow path. A second external phase flow channel for supplying the external phase liquid, wherein the first external phase flow channel and the second external phase flow channel are formed by branching from a common flow channel. It is a feature.
本発明の請求項１２記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置は、前記内相用流路の一方側から前記外相用液体を供給する第１の外相用流路と、前記内相用流路の他方側から前記外相用液体を供給する第２の外相用流路とを備え、前記第１の外相用流路及び前記第２の外相用流路は、前記外相用液体が供給される導入部がそれぞれ個別に設けられていることを特徴とするものである。 A microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention includes a first outer phase flow channel for supplying the outer phase liquid from one side of the inner phase flow channel, and the other side of the inner phase flow channel. A second external phase flow channel for supplying the external phase liquid, and each of the first external phase flow channel and the second external phase flow channel has a separate introduction section to which the external phase liquid is supplied. Is provided.
本発明の請求項１３記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置は、前記第１の外相用流路に第１の外相用液体が供給され、前記第２の外相用流路に前記第１の外相用液体とは異なる第２の外相用液体が供給されることを特徴とするものである。 In the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to claim 13 of the present invention, the first external phase liquid is supplied to the first external phase flow path, and the first external phase liquid is supplied to the second external phase flow path. Is characterized in that a different second external phase liquid is supplied.
本発明の請求項１４記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法は、内相が外相で包み込まれたマイクロカプセルを連続相内に製造するマイクロカプセル製造方法において、前記内相となる気体が流れる内相用流路の両側部から前記外相となる１種又は２種以上の外相用液体を供給し、前記１種又は２種以上の外相用液体で前記気体を両側から挟み込んだ層流体を形成する合流ステップと、前記連続相の流れと交差する向きから前記層流体を供給する供給ステップと、前記気体を前記外相用液体で包み込んだ状態で所定の大きさまで膨らませた膨張部を、前記連続相が流れる連続相用流路内に形成する形成ステップと、前記膨張部が前記連続相による液圧により前記層流体から分離する分離ステップとを備えることを特徴とするものである。 The microcapsule manufacturing method according to claim 14 of the present invention is a microcapsule manufacturing method in which a microcapsule in which an inner phase is wrapped in an outer phase is manufactured in a continuous phase. A merging step of forming one or two or more external phase liquids serving as the external phase from both sides of the gas, and forming a laminar fluid in which the gas is sandwiched from both sides by the one or two or more external phase liquids; A supply step of supplying the laminar fluid from a direction crossing the flow of the continuous phase; and a continuous phase in which the continuous phase flows through an inflated portion in which the gas is wrapped in the outer phase liquid and expanded to a predetermined size. A formation step formed in the flow path and a separation step in which the expansion portion separates from the laminar fluid by a hydraulic pressure due to the continuous phase.
本発明の請求項１５記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法は、前記液体及び前記気体は、互いに溶解しない又は溶解し難い非溶解性を有することを特徴とするものである。 The microcapsule manufacturing method according to claim 15 of the present invention is characterized in that the liquid and the gas have insolubility that does not dissolve or hardly dissolve.
本発明の請求項１６記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法は、前記外相用液体及び前記気体は、互いに溶解しない又は溶解し難い非溶解性を有することを特徴とするものである。 The microcapsule manufacturing method according to claim 16 of the present invention is characterized in that the external phase liquid and the gas have non-solubility that does not dissolve or hardly dissolve.
本発明の請求項１７記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法は、前記液体及び前記外相用液体は、互いに溶解しない又は溶解し難い非溶解性を有することを特徴とするものである。 The microcapsule manufacturing method according to claim 17 of the present invention is characterized in that the liquid and the external phase liquid are insoluble or difficult to dissolve.
本発明の請求項１８記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法は、前記連続相が油相及び水相のうちいずれか一方からなり、前記外相が前記油相及び水相のうち前記連続相とは異なる他方の前記油相及び水相からなることを特徴とするものである。 In the microcapsule manufacturing method according to claim 18 of the present invention, the continuous phase is composed of one of an oil phase and an aqueous phase, and the outer phase is the other of the oil phase and the aqueous phase different from the continuous phase. It consists of the said oil phase and a water phase, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
本発明の請求項１９記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法は、前記合流ステップでは、共通流路から分岐した第１の外相用流路及び第２の外相用流路を介して前記気体の両側部から前記外相用液体を合流させることを特徴とするものである。 In the microcapsule manufacturing method according to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the merging step, the gas flows from both sides of the gas via the first outer phase channel and the second outer phase channel branched from the common channel. The liquid for external phase is made to merge.
本発明の請求項２０記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法は、前記合流ステップでは、第１の外相用流路及び第２の外相用流路にそれぞれ個別に設けた各導入部から前記外相用液体が供給され、前記第１の外相用流路及び前記第２の外相用流路によって前記外相用液体を前記気体の両側部から合流させることを特徴とするものである。 In the microcapsule manufacturing method according to claim 20 of the present invention, in the merging step, the external phase liquid is supplied from each of the introduction portions individually provided in the first outer phase flow path and the second outer phase flow path. The outer phase liquid is merged from both sides of the gas by the first outer phase flow path and the second outer phase flow path.
本発明の請求項２１記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法は、前記合流ステップでは、前記第１の外相用流路に第１の外相用液体が供給され、前記第２の外相用流路に前記第１の外相用液体とは異なる第２の外相用液体が供給されることを特徴とするものである。 In the microcapsule manufacturing method according to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the merging step, a first external phase liquid is supplied to the first external phase flow path, and the first external phase flow path is the first. A second external phase liquid different from the external phase liquid is supplied.
本発明の請求項１記載のマイクロカプセルによれば、内相を気体で形成し、外相を液体で形成するようにしたことにより、内相と外相との物質の状態がことなることから外相のみを容易に分離させることができる。 According to the microcapsule according to claim 1 of the present invention, since the inner phase is formed of gas and the outer phase is formed of liquid, the state of the substance between the inner phase and the outer phase is different, so that only the outer phase is formed. Can be easily separated.
本発明の請求項２記載のマイクロカプセル、請求項７記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置及び請求項１５記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法によれば、連続相となる液体と内相となる気体とが混ざり難いので、外相で包み込まれた内相を連続相内に確実に形成できる。 According to the microcapsule according to claim 2 of the present invention, the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, and the microcapsule manufacturing method according to claim 15, it is difficult to mix the liquid as the continuous phase and the gas as the internal phase. The inner phase encased in the outer phase can be reliably formed in the continuous phase.
本発明の請求項３記載のマイクロカプセル、請求項８記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置及び請求項１６記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法によれば、外相となる外相用液体と内相となる気体とが混ざり難いので、外相により内相を確実に包み込むことができる。 According to the microcapsule according to claim 3 of the present invention, the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8, and the microcapsule manufacturing method according to claim 16, it is difficult for the liquid for external phase and the gas for internal phase to be mixed. Therefore, the inner phase can be reliably wrapped by the outer phase.
本発明の請求項４記載のマイクロカプセル、請求項９記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置及び請求項１７記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法によれば、連続相となる液体と外相となる外相用液体とが混ざり難いので、内相を包み込んだ外相を連続相内に形成できる。 According to the microcapsule according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, and the microcapsule manufacturing method according to the seventeenth aspect, it is difficult to mix the liquid for the continuous phase and the liquid for the external phase that is the external phase. Therefore, the outer phase that wraps the inner phase can be formed in the continuous phase.
本発明の請求項５記載のマイクロカプセル、請求項１０記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置及び請求項１８記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法によれば、外相と連続相とが混ざり難いので、内相を包み込んだ外相を連続相内に一段と確実に形成できる。 According to the microcapsule according to claim 5 of the present invention, the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, and the microcapsule manufacturing method according to claim 18, the outer phase and the continuous phase are unlikely to be mixed. Can be more reliably formed in the continuous phase.
本発明の請求項６記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置及び請求項１４記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法によれば、連続相に供給された外相となる液体全てをマイクロカプセルの外相として用いることができるようになり、余分な液体が連続相内に流出することもないので、従来のように連続相内でマイクロカプセルと余分な液体とが合体せず、マイクロカプセルと余分な液体との分離工程を省くことができ、かくして一段と容易にマイクロカプセルを製造し得る。 According to the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention and the microcapsule manufacturing method according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, it becomes possible to use all of the liquid serving as the outer phase supplied to the continuous phase as the outer phase of the microcapsule. Since the excess liquid does not flow out into the continuous phase, the microcapsule and the excess liquid do not merge in the continuous phase as in the past, and the separation step of the microcapsule and the excess liquid can be omitted. Thus, microcapsules can be manufactured more easily.
本発明の請求項１１記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置及び請求項１９記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法によれば、共通流路から供給される外相用液体を当該第１の外相用流路及び第２の外相用流路に均等に供給させることができ、かくして外相用液体で気体を均等に挟み込んだ層流体を形成できる。 According to the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus of the eleventh aspect of the present invention and the microcapsule manufacturing method of the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the external phase liquid supplied from the common flow channel is used as the first external phase flow channel and the second external phase. Thus, the layer fluid can be formed in which the gas is evenly sandwiched between the external phase liquids.
本発明の請求項１２記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置及び請求項２０記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法によれば、第１の外相用流路及び第２の外相用流路に供給する外相用液体の流量を個別に調節するができる。 According to the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus of the twelfth aspect of the present invention and the microcapsule manufacturing method of the twentieth aspect of the present invention, the flow rate of the external phase liquid supplied to the first external phase flow path and the second external phase flow path is set. Can be adjusted individually.
本発明の請求項１３記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置及び請求項２１記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法によれば、第１の外相用流路及び第２の外相用流路に供給する第１の外相用液体及び第２の外相用液体の流量を個別に調節することで、する第１の外相用液体及び第２の外相用液体が外相で占める割合を適宜調節できる。 According to the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention and the microcapsule manufacturing method according to the twenty-first aspect, the first external phase liquid supplied to the first external phase flow path and the second external phase flow path. In addition, by individually adjusting the flow rate of the second external phase liquid, the ratio of the first external phase liquid and the second external phase liquid to the external phase can be adjusted as appropriate.
以下図面に基づいて本発明の実施の形態を詳述する。
（１）第１の実施の形態
図１において、１は全体として本発明によるマイクロカプセル製造装置を示し、このマイクロカプセル製造装置１は、例えばシリコンやガラス、ポリマー材料からなる所定の厚みを有し、かつ所定形状の溝部が形成された板状の基板３に、例えば透明なガラスカバー等でなる板状のカバー体４が積層されることにより溝部が塞がれ、微細流路５を形成し得るようになされている。
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(1) 1st Embodiment In FIG. 1, 1 shows the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus by this invention as a whole, This microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 1 has predetermined thickness which consists of silicon | silicone, glass, and a polymer material, for example. Further, a plate-like substrate 3 made of, for example, a transparent glass cover or the like is laminated on the plate-like substrate 3 on which the groove portion having a predetermined shape is formed, so that the groove portion is closed and the fine flow path 5 is formed. Has been made to get.
実際上、微細流路５は、所定の流路幅及び流路深さからなる層流形成流路６と、この層流形成流路６の下流に連通し、同じく所定の流路幅及び流路深さからなる連続相用流路７とを有し、層流形成流路６の中央に設けた直線状の内相用流路８の長手方向と、連続相用流路７の長手方向とがほぼ直交するように配置されている。 In practice, the fine channel 5 communicates with a laminar flow forming channel 6 having a predetermined channel width and channel depth and a downstream of the laminar flow forming channel 6, and also has a predetermined channel width and flow. A longitudinal direction of the linear internal phase flow path 8 provided in the center of the laminar flow forming flow path 6 and a longitudinal direction of the continuous phase flow path 7. Are arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other.
層流形成流路６は、共通流路９から分岐して、内相用流路８を中心に対称に形成された第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11を備え、これら第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11の一端に共通流路９を介して外相導入部12が設けられている。 The laminar flow forming channel 6 includes a first outer phase channel 10 and a second outer phase channel 11 that are branched from the common channel 9 and formed symmetrically about the inner phase channel 8. In addition, an external phase introduction portion 12 is provided at one end of the first external phase flow path 10 and the second external phase flow path 11 via the common flow path 9.
外相導入部12は、マイクロカプセル（後述する）の外相として油相を形成させるために、例えば酢酸ブチル、フェノール、ブタノール、ベンゼン又はヘキサン等の鎖状炭化水素基を持つ有機化合物を含有する種々の外相用液体としての溶液を、分岐点13を介して第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11に均等に供給し得るようになされている。 The outer phase introduction unit 12 contains various organic compounds having a chain hydrocarbon group such as butyl acetate, phenol, butanol, benzene or hexane, for example, in order to form an oil phase as an outer phase of microcapsules (described later). The solution as the external phase liquid can be uniformly supplied to the first external phase flow path 10 and the second external phase flow path 11 through the branch point 13.
また、内相用流路８には、一端に内相導入部15が設けられており、マイクロカプセルの内相として気相を形成するために空気が内相導入部15から供給され得るようになされている。なお、内相となる気体としての空気は、外相たる溶液と溶解しない又は溶解し難い非溶解性を有する。 Further, the inner phase flow path 8 is provided with an inner phase introducing portion 15 at one end so that air can be supplied from the inner phase introducing portion 15 in order to form a gas phase as the inner phase of the microcapsule. Has been made. Note that air as a gas serving as an inner phase has non-solubility that does not dissolve or hardly dissolves in a solution serving as an outer phase.
さらに、連続相用流路７には、一端に連続相供給部16が設けられており、連続相S2を水相とするために、例えばポリビニルアルコール（Polyvinyl alcohol）３％水溶液や、一般的な水（純水）、１種類以上の親水性活性物質を含有する水溶液等の各種水溶液が連続相供給部16から供給され得る。この液体としての水溶液は、外相たる溶液及び内相たる空気と溶解しない又は溶解し難い非溶解性を有し、層流形成流路６との合流点17及び観察場18を順次介して貯留部19に排出され得る。なお、観察場18は、連続相用流路７の合流点17よりも下流に配置され、円形状に形成した流路幅が広い領域であり、合流点17で製造されたマイクロカプセルを一旦留まらせて当該マイクロカプセルの状態を観察し得るようになされている。 Further, the continuous-phase flow path 7 is provided with a continuous-phase supply unit 16 at one end, and in order to use the continuous phase S2 as an aqueous phase, for example, a 3% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol or a general solution Various aqueous solutions such as water (pure water) and an aqueous solution containing one or more hydrophilic active substances can be supplied from the continuous phase supply unit 16. This aqueous solution as a liquid has non-solubility that does not dissolve or hardly dissolves with the solution as the outer phase and the air as the inner phase, and sequentially stores the confluence 17 and the observation field 18 with the laminar flow forming channel 6. Can be discharged to 19. The observation field 18 is a region having a wide channel width which is arranged downstream of the junction 17 of the continuous-phase channel 7 and is formed in a circular shape. The microcapsules manufactured at the junction 17 are temporarily stopped. Thus, the state of the microcapsule can be observed.
実際上、内相用流路８では、図２（Ａ）及び（Ｂ）に示すように、一端の内相導入部（図１）から供給された空気Ａを、他端の排出口を介して合流供給部20に排出し得る。この実施の形態の場合、内相用流路８は、幅寸法Ｗ１が例えば１００μｍに形成されているとともに、排出口の幅寸法Ｗ２が例えば５０μｍに形成され、空気Ａが排出口で縮径されて合流供給部20に排出され得るようになされている。 In practice, in the inner-phase flow path 8, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the air A supplied from the inner-phase introduction part (FIG. 1) at one end is passed through the discharge port at the other end. Can be discharged to the merging supply section 20. In the case of this embodiment, the internal-phase flow path 8 has a width dimension W1 of, for example, 100 μm, a discharge port width dimension W2 of, for example, 50 μm, and the air A is reduced in diameter at the discharge port. And can be discharged to the merging supply unit 20.
第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11は、内相用流路８を中心にして対称に形成された所定角度を有する傾斜部21を備え、傾斜部21の先端が合流供給部20に連通されている。 The first outer-phase channel 10 and the second outer-phase channel 11 include an inclined portion 21 having a predetermined angle formed symmetrically about the inner-phase channel 8, and the tip of the inclined portion 21 is It communicates with the merge supply unit 20.
また、第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11の傾斜部21は、上流側が内相用流路８に対して所定間隔を空けて設けられ、他端側が下流へゆくに従って次第に内相用流路８側に近づいてゆき、合流供給部20付近において連続相用流路７と平行になるよう折れ曲がり、排出口が合流供給部20の合流部22に連通するように形成されている。 Further, the inclined portion 21 of the first outer phase flow path 10 and the second outer phase flow path 11 is provided at a predetermined interval on the upstream side with respect to the inner phase flow path 8, and the other end side goes downstream. And gradually approaches the inner phase flow path 8 side, bends in the vicinity of the merging supply section 20 so as to be parallel to the continuous phase flow path 7, and is formed so that the discharge port communicates with the merging section 22 of the merging supply section 20. Has been.
合流供給部20は、排出口で縮径された空気Ａを接続部23を介して合流部22に導き、当該合流部22によって空気Ａの両側から外相用液体としての溶液S1を合流させ、これによりで空気Ａを溶液S1で挟み込んだ層流体L1を形成するように構成されている。 The merging supply unit 20 guides the air A reduced in diameter at the discharge port to the merging unit 22 through the connection unit 23, and the merging unit 22 merges the solution S1 as the liquid for the external phase from both sides of the air A. Thus, the laminar fluid L1 is formed by sandwiching the air A with the solution S1.
実際上、この合流部22では、空気Ａの両側から溶液S1を合流させることにより、当該溶液S1が空気Ａを両側から押し付け、溶液S1、空気Ａ及び溶液S1の順に配置された層流体L1を下流の供給部24に導くようになされている。 In practice, in this merging section 22, the solution S1 is merged from both sides of the air A, so that the solution S1 presses the air A from both sides, and the layer fluid L1 arranged in the order of the solution S1, the air A, and the solution S1 is obtained. It is made to guide to the downstream supply unit 24.
供給部24は、合流部22で形成した層流体L1を連続相S2の流れと交差する向き（この場合、連続相S2の流れと直交する方向）から連続相用流路７に供給するようになされている。ここで供給部24は、接続部23と同様に流路幅が内相用流路８の流路幅に比して小さく選定されており、層流体L1を縮径させた状態で連続相用流路７に供給し得るようになされている。 The supply section 24 supplies the laminar fluid L1 formed in the merging section 22 to the continuous phase flow path 7 from the direction intersecting the flow of the continuous phase S2 (in this case, the direction orthogonal to the flow of the continuous phase S2). Has been made. Here, the supply section 24 is selected to have a flow path width smaller than the flow path width of the inner-phase flow path 8 in the same manner as the connection section 23, and is used for the continuous phase in a state where the diameter of the laminar fluid L1 is reduced. It can be supplied to the flow path 7.
かくして、合流供給部20では、内相用流路８から空気Ａが供給され始めるとともに、第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11からそれぞれ溶液S1が供給され始めると、図２（Ａ）に示したように、第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11から供給される溶液S1の先端部分を一体化させたまま、空気Ａによって当該溶液S1を連続相用流路７に押し出させる。 Thus, in the merging supply unit 20, when the air A starts to be supplied from the inner phase flow path 8, and the solution S1 starts to be supplied from the first outer phase flow path 10 and the second outer phase flow path 11, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2 (A), the solution S1 is supplied by the air A while the tip portions of the solution S1 supplied from the first outer phase channel 10 and the second outer phase channel 11 are integrated. Is extruded into the continuous-phase flow path 7.
このようにして合流供給部20は、連続相用流路７内に層流体L1を供給してゆくことによって、図２（Ｂ）に示したように、連続相内に位置する層流体L1の先端部分に、空気Ａの周囲を溶液S1で取り囲んだまま膨らませた膨張部27を形成し得るようになされている。 In this way, the merging supply unit 20 supplies the laminar fluid L1 into the continuous phase flow path 7, so that the laminar fluid L1 located in the continuous phase is supplied as shown in FIG. An inflatable portion 27 that is inflated while surrounding the air A with the solution S1 can be formed at the tip portion.
ここで連続相用流路７は、連続相S2が所定の流量で供給されており、連続相S2内に形成された層流体L1の膨張部27に所定の液圧を与えるようになされている。これにより膨張部27は、連続相用流路７内で膨らむに従って連続相用流路７を流れる連続相S2から受ける液圧も大きくなり、その結果、所定の大きさにまで膨らむと、供給部24で留まることができずに、当該供給部24において層流体L1から分離してマイクロカプセル28となり、連続相S2によって連続相用流路７の下流に押し流される。 Here, the continuous phase flow path 7 is supplied with the continuous phase S2 at a predetermined flow rate, and applies a predetermined hydraulic pressure to the expansion portion 27 of the laminar fluid L1 formed in the continuous phase S2. . As a result, as the expansion part 27 swells in the continuous phase flow path 7, the hydraulic pressure received from the continuous phase S2 flowing through the continuous phase flow path 7 also increases. As a result, when the expansion part 27 expands to a predetermined size, the supply part Without being able to stay at 24, it is separated from the laminar fluid L1 in the supply section 24 to become a microcapsule 28, and is pushed downstream of the continuous phase flow path 7 by the continuous phase S2.
すなわち層流体L1は、供給部24において溶液S1、空気Ａ及び溶液S1の順に配置されて水相たる連続相S2中に供給することで、外相29が油相でなるとともに、内相30が気相でなる３層構造のマイクロカプセル28を形成し得るようになされている。 That is, the laminar fluid L1 is arranged in the supply unit 24 in the order of the solution S1, air A, and solution S1 and supplied into the continuous phase S2 that is an aqueous phase, so that the outer phase 29 is an oil phase and the inner phase 30 is air A microcapsule 28 having a three-layer structure composed of phases can be formed.
そして、連続相用流路７内では、供給部24から層流体L1が供給され続けていることにより、マイクロカプセル28が製造された後、再び層流体L1の先端部分が膨らんでゆき膨張部27を形成し、その間に隣接するマイクロカプセル28間に所定の距離（以下、これを製造ピッチと呼ぶ）が設けられ、かくして所定間隔を空けて次のマイクロカプセル28が製造され得るようになされている。 In the continuous-phase flow path 7, the laminar fluid L 1 continues to be supplied from the supply unit 24, so that after the microcapsule 28 is manufactured, the tip portion of the laminar fluid L 1 swells again and the expansion unit 27. And a predetermined distance (hereinafter referred to as a manufacturing pitch) is provided between the adjacent microcapsules 28, so that the next microcapsule 28 can be manufactured at a predetermined interval. .
ところで、このようなマイクロカプセル28は、連続相S2に混入した所定のサンプルを、当該連続相S2から分離して抽出するサンプル分離に用いることができる。実際上、かかる構成のマイクロカプセル28を用いたサンプル分離では、図３に示すように、例えば連続相S2に予め親油性サンプル31及び親水性サンプル32からなるサンプルを混ぜておくと、連続相に混ぜられたサンプルのうち親水性サンプル32が水相たる連続相S2にそのまま留まり、親油性サンプル31が油相たる外相29へと抽出され得る。 By the way, such a microcapsule 28 can be used for sample separation in which a predetermined sample mixed in the continuous phase S2 is separated and extracted from the continuous phase S2. In practice, in the sample separation using the microcapsule 28 having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, if a sample consisting of the lipophilic sample 31 and the hydrophilic sample 32 is mixed in advance with the continuous phase S2, Among the mixed samples, the hydrophilic sample 32 remains in the continuous phase S2 as the aqueous phase, and the lipophilic sample 31 can be extracted into the outer phase 29 as the oil phase.
この際、かかる構成のマイクロカプセル28では、内相30が気相であることから、連続相S2内に混入した親水性サンプル32が内相30に抽出されることがなく、連続相S2にのみ留めることができるので、連続相S2から親油性サンプル31のみを効率良く分離させることができる。 At this time, in the microcapsule 28 having such a configuration, since the internal phase 30 is a gas phase, the hydrophilic sample 32 mixed in the continuous phase S2 is not extracted into the internal phase 30, and only in the continuous phase S2. Therefore, only the lipophilic sample 31 can be efficiently separated from the continuous phase S2.
以上の構成において、マイクロカプセル製造装置１では、溶液S1及び空気Ａを所定の流量で合流供給部20に供給するとともに、当該合流供給部20で空気Ａを両側部から溶液S1で挟み込むようにした。これによりマイクロカプセル製造装置１では、溶液S1、空気Ａ及び溶液S1の順に配置された層流体L1を形成し、さらに合流供給部20から連続相S2内に層流体L1が供給され、連続相S2内に膨張部27を形成できる。 In the above configuration, in the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 1, the solution S1 and the air A are supplied to the merging supply unit 20 at a predetermined flow rate, and the air A is sandwiched by the solution S1 from both sides at the merging supply unit 20. . Thereby, in the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 1, the laminar fluid L1 is arranged in the order of the solution S1, the air A, and the solution S1, and the laminar fluid L1 is further supplied from the merging supply unit 20 into the continuous phase S2, and the continuous phase S2 An inflatable portion 27 can be formed inside.
そして、マイクロカプセル製造装置１では、連続相用流路７内に連続相S2を所定の流量で供給することで、膨張部27が連続相S2内で所定の大きさまで膨らむと、連続相S2によって加わる所定の液圧により当該膨張部27を層流体L1から分離させることができ、かくして連続相S2内にマイクロカプセル28を製造できる。 In the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 1, when the continuous portion S2 is supplied into the continuous phase flow path 7 at a predetermined flow rate so that the expansion portion 27 expands to a predetermined size in the continuous phase S2, the continuous phase S2 The expanded portion 27 can be separated from the laminar fluid L1 by the predetermined fluid pressure applied, and thus the microcapsules 28 can be manufactured in the continuous phase S2.
また、マイクロカプセル製造装置１では、層流体L1が合流供給部20から連続相S2内に供給され続けていることにより、再び連続相S2内に膨張部27が形成され、当該膨張部27が所定の大きさまで膨らむと、連続相S2による液圧により層流体L1から膨張部27が分離し、これにより連続相S2内に新たにマイクロカプセル28を製造できる。このようにしてマイクロカプセル製造装置１では、所定の流量で溶液S1及び空気Ａを合流供給部20に供給し続けるとともに、所定の流量で連続相S2を連続相用流路７内に供給し続けるだけで、連続相S2内に複数のマイクロカプセルを容易に製造できる。 Further, in the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 1, since the laminar fluid L1 is continuously supplied from the merging supply unit 20 into the continuous phase S2, the expansion unit 27 is formed again in the continuous phase S2, and the expansion unit 27 is predetermined. Swelled to a size of 2, the expanded portion 27 is separated from the laminar fluid L1 by the hydraulic pressure of the continuous phase S2, whereby a microcapsule 28 can be newly produced in the continuous phase S2. Thus, in the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 1, the solution S1 and the air A are continuously supplied to the merging supply unit 20 at a predetermined flow rate, and the continuous phase S2 is continuously supplied into the continuous phase flow path 7 at a predetermined flow rate. Only a plurality of microcapsules can be easily produced in the continuous phase S2.
また、マイクロカプセル製造装置１では、連続相S2内において膨張部27が再び形成され、層流体L1から膨張部27が分離するまでの間、既に製造したマイクロカプセル28が連続相S2の流れによって連続相用流路７の下流に流される。従って、マイクロカプセル製造装置１では、既に製造したマイクロカプセル28と新たに製造されるマイクロカプセル28の間に所定の距離を設け、所定の製造ピッチでマイクロカプセル28を順次製造していゆくことができ、かくして既に製造されたマイクロカプセル28と新たに製造されるマイクロカプセル28とが合体することを確実に防止できる。 Further, in the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 1, the expanded portion 27 is formed again in the continuous phase S2, and the already manufactured microcapsule 28 is continuously formed by the flow of the continuous phase S2 until the expanded portion 27 is separated from the laminar fluid L1. It flows downstream of the phase flow path 7. Therefore, in the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 1, a predetermined distance is provided between the already manufactured microcapsule 28 and the newly manufactured microcapsule 28, and the microcapsules 28 can be sequentially manufactured at a predetermined manufacturing pitch. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the already manufactured microcapsule 28 and the newly manufactured microcapsule 28 from being combined.
さらに、マイクロカプセル製造装置１では、第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11から連続相用流路７に供給される溶液S1全てをマイクロカプセル28の外相29の形成に利用できることから、当該連続相S2内に余分な溶液が流出することがなく、マイクロカプセル28が連続相S2内で余分な溶液と合体することを防止でき、その結果、従来のような余分な溶液に合体したマイクロカプセルを、当該余分な液体から分離する工程を省くことができる。 Further, in the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 1, all of the solution S 1 supplied from the first outer phase channel 10 and the second outer phase channel 11 to the continuous phase channel 7 is used to form the outer phase 29 of the microcapsule 28. Since it can be used, the excess solution does not flow out into the continuous phase S2, and the microcapsule 28 can be prevented from coalescing with the excess solution in the continuous phase S2. The step of separating the microcapsules combined with the excess liquid can be omitted.
また、このようなマイクロカプセル製造装置１によって製造されたマイクロカプセル28では、外相29が油相からなるとともに、内相30が気相からなるようにしたことにより、外相29と内相30とが共に液体で形成されている場合に比べて外相29だけを容易に分離させることができる。 Further, in the microcapsule 28 manufactured by the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 1 as described above, the outer phase 29 is made of an oil phase and the inner phase 30 is made of a gas phase. Only the outer phase 29 can be easily separated as compared with the case where both are formed of liquid.
因みに、この実施の形態の場合、第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11は、下流にゆくに従って合流供給部20に近づくように内相用流路８に対し所定角度を設けて配置されていることにより、溶液S1が連続相用流路７側へ向かうような流れを形成でき、かくして、内相用流路８から供給される空気Ａを溶液S1によっても連続相用流路７にスムーズに導かせることができる。 Incidentally, in the case of this embodiment, the first outer-phase flow path 10 and the second outer-phase flow path 11 are at a predetermined angle with respect to the inner-phase flow path 8 so as to approach the merging supply section 20 as going downstream. Is provided so that the flow of the solution S1 toward the continuous-phase flow path 7 can be formed. Thus, the air A supplied from the internal-phase flow path 8 can be converted into the continuous phase by the solution S1. It can be smoothly guided to the use flow path 7.
また、この実施の形態では、１つの共通流路９から分岐して第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11が形成されていることにより、共通流路９から供給される溶液S1を当該第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11に均等に供給させることができ、かくして溶液S1で空気Ａを均等に挟み込んだ層流体L1を形成できる。この場合、第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11にそれぞれ個別に供給用のポンプを設ける必要がない分、マイクロカプセル製造装置１全体を簡易な構成にできる。 Further, in this embodiment, the first outer phase flow path 10 and the second outer phase flow path 11 are formed by branching from one common flow path 9, and thus supplied from the common flow path 9. The solution S1 can be evenly supplied to the first outer phase flow path 10 and the second outer phase flow path 11, and thus the layer fluid L1 in which the air A is evenly sandwiched between the solutions S1 can be formed. In this case, the entire microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 1 can be simplified because it is not necessary to provide a separate supply pump for each of the first outer phase channel 10 and the second outer phase channel 11.
さらに、マイクロカプセル28では、連続相S2及び空気Ａが互いに溶解しない又は溶解し難い非溶解性を有するようにしたことにより、連続相S2と空気Ａとが混ざり難いので、連続相S2内で外相29により内相30を確実に包み込むことができる。 Furthermore, in the microcapsule 28, since the continuous phase S2 and the air A are insoluble or difficult to dissolve, the continuous phase S2 and the air A are difficult to mix with each other. The inner phase 30 can be securely wrapped by 29.
さらに、マイクロカプセル28では、溶液S1及び空気Ａが互いに溶解しない又は溶解し難い非溶解性を有するようにしたことにより、溶液S1及び空気Ａとが混ざり難いので、連続相S2内で外相29により内相30を確実に包み込むことができる。 Furthermore, in the microcapsule 28, the solution S1 and the air A are not dissolved or hardly dissolved, so that the solution S1 and the air A are difficult to mix with each other. The inner phase 30 can be securely wrapped.
さらに、マイクロカプセル28では、連続相S2及び溶液S1が互いに溶解しない又は溶解し難い非溶解性を有するようにしたことにより、連続相S2及び溶液S1とが混ざり難いので、連続相S2内で外相29により内相30を確実に包み込むことができる。 Furthermore, in the microcapsule 28, since the continuous phase S2 and the solution S1 are insoluble or difficult to dissolve, the continuous phase S2 and the solution S1 are difficult to mix with each other. The inner phase 30 can be securely wrapped by 29.
以上の構成によれば、マイクロカプセル28では、液体からなる連続相S2内に設けられ、外相29を連続相S2とは異なる溶液S1によって形成するとともに、外相29で包み込まれた内相30を空気Ａによって形成するようにしたことにより、内相30と外相29との物質の状態がことなることから外相29のみを容易に分離させることができる。 According to the above configuration, the microcapsule 28 is provided in the continuous phase S2 made of liquid, and the outer phase 29 is formed by the solution S1 different from the continuous phase S2, and the inner phase 30 encapsulated by the outer phase 29 is air. Since it is formed by A, since the state of the substance of the inner phase 30 and the outer phase 29 is different, only the outer phase 29 can be easily separated.
また、マイクロカプセル製造装置１では、内相30となる空気Ａの両側部から外相29となる溶液S１を合流させ、１種の溶液S1で空気Ａを挟み込んだ層流体L1を形成し、連続相S2の流れと交差する向きから連続相用流路７に層流体L1を供給することで、連続相用流路７内に膨張部27を形成させ、当該膨張部27を連続相S2から受ける液圧により層流体L1から分離させるようにした。 Further, in the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 1, the solution S1 as the outer phase 29 is merged from both sides of the air A as the inner phase 30 to form a laminar fluid L1 in which the air A is sandwiched between one kind of solution S1. By supplying the laminar fluid L1 to the continuous phase flow path 7 from the direction intersecting the flow of S2, the expansion part 27 is formed in the continuous phase flow path 7, and the liquid that receives the expansion part 27 from the continuous phase S2 The pressure was separated from the laminar fluid L1 by pressure.
これにより、マイクロカプセル製造装置１では、連続相S2に供給された外相29となる溶液S1全てをマイクロカプセル28の外相29として用いることができるようになり、余分な溶液S1が連続相S2内に流出することもないので、従来のように連続相S2内でマイクロカプセル28と余分な溶液S1とが合体せず、マイクロカプセル28と余分な溶液S1との分離工程を省くことができ、かくして一段と容易にマイクロカプセル28を製造し得る。 Thereby, in the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 1, all of the solution S1 to be the outer phase 29 supplied to the continuous phase S2 can be used as the outer phase 29 of the microcapsule 28, and the excess solution S1 is contained in the continuous phase S2. Since it does not flow out, the microcapsule 28 and the extra solution S1 do not coalesce in the continuous phase S2 as in the prior art, and the separation step of the microcapsule 28 and the extra solution S1 can be omitted, thus further The microcapsule 28 can be easily manufactured.
以下、第１の実施の形態による実施例について説明する。この場合、マイクロカプセル製造装置としては、図１に示したような、層流形成流路６及び連続相用流路７をシリコン製の基板上に形成し、カバー体としてカバーガラスを基板上に接着することにより微小流路を形成した。微小流路は、流路幅及び流路深さを全て１００μｍに形成するとともに、合流供給部20の接続部23及び供給部24を５０μｍに形成した。 Examples according to the first embodiment will be described below. In this case, as a microcapsule manufacturing apparatus, the laminar flow forming flow path 6 and the continuous phase flow path 7 as shown in FIG. 1 are formed on a silicon substrate, and a cover glass is formed on the substrate as a cover body. A microchannel was formed by bonding. In the micro flow channel, the flow channel width and the flow channel depth were all formed to 100 μm, and the connection part 23 and the supply part 24 of the merging supply part 20 were formed to 50 μm.
この微小流路には、連続相S2を水相とする水溶液として濃度３％のＰＶＡ（Ｐｏｌｙｖｉｎｙｌ Ａｌｃｏｈｏｌ）水溶液を流量８μｍ／ｍｉｎで連続相用流路７に流すとともに、外相を油相とする溶液S1として濃度９８％の酢酸ブチル溶液を流量１μｍ／ｍｉｎで第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11に流し、内相を気相とする気体として空気Ａを流量４μｍ／ｍｉｎで内相用流路８に流した。 In this microchannel, a PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) aqueous solution having a concentration of 3% as an aqueous solution having the continuous phase S2 as an aqueous phase flows into the continuous phase flow channel 7 at a flow rate of 8 μm / min, and the outer phase is an oil phase. As S1, a butyl acetate solution having a concentration of 98% is passed through the first outer phase channel 10 and the second outer phase channel 11 at a flow rate of 1 μm / min, and air A is flowed at a flow rate of 4 μm / min. It was made to flow into the internal-phase flow path 8 in min.
そして、この微小流路における流体の流れを高速度カメラ（ＦＡＳＴＣＡＭ-ＮＥＯ 32ＫＣ 120ＫＣ カラーモデル）により１０００ｆｒａｍｅｓ／ｓｅｃにて撮影した。その結果を図４に示す。 Then, the flow of the fluid in the microchannel was photographed at 1000 frames / sec with a high-speed camera (FASTCAM-NEO 32KC 120KC color model). The result is shown in FIG.
この場合、連続相用流路７内には、図４に示したように、連続相S2が水相となり、内相30が気相となり、その周りの外相29が油相となる３相構造のマイクロカプセル28が製造されることが分かった。 In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the continuous phase flow path 7 has a three-phase structure in which the continuous phase S2 is an aqueous phase, the inner phase 30 is a gas phase, and the surrounding outer phase 29 is an oil phase. Of microcapsules 28 were produced.
また、このマイクロカプセル製造装置1では、余分な酢酸ブチル溶液が連続相用流路７内に流出していないことが確認できた。よって、マイクロカプセル28が余分な酢酸ブチル溶液と合体することなく製造できることが分かった。 Moreover, in this microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 1, it was confirmed that the excess butyl acetate solution did not flow out into the continuous phase flow path 7. Therefore, it was found that the microcapsules 28 can be manufactured without being combined with the excess butyl acetate solution.
次に、連続相S2となるＰＶＡ水溶液及び内相となる空気Ａを一定の流量で連続相用流路７に供給しつつ、外相となる酢酸ブチル溶液の流量を変化させてマイクロカプセル28を製造し、このマイクロカプセル28の状態について観察を行なった。 Next, the microcapsule 28 is manufactured by changing the flow rate of the butyl acetate solution as the outer phase while supplying the PVA aqueous solution as the continuous phase S2 and the air A as the inner phase to the continuous phase flow path 7 at a constant flow rate. The state of the microcapsule 28 was observed.
実際上、この実験では、ＰＶＡ水溶液を流量８μｍ／ｍｉｎとし、空気Ａを流量４μｍ／ｍｉｎとして、外相となる酢酸ブチル溶液の流量を０．３μｍ／ｍｉｎ、０．５μｍ／ｍｉｎ、１μｍ／ｍｉｎ、２μｍ／ｍｉｎ及び３μｍ／ｍｉｎに順次変化させ、各流量でのマイクロカプセル28の状態を観察場で高速度カメラ（ＦＡＳＴＣＡＭ-ＮＥＯ 32ＫＣ 120ＫＣ カラーモデル）により撮影した。その結果を図５（Ａ）〜（Ｄ）及び図６に示す。 In practice, in this experiment, the PVA aqueous solution was set at a flow rate of 8 μm / min, the air A was set at a flow rate of 4 μm / min, and the flow rate of the butyl acetate solution as the outer phase was 0.3 μm / min, 0.5 μm / min, 1 μm / min, The state of the microcapsule 28 at each flow rate was photographed with a high-speed camera (FASTCAM-NEO 32KC 120KC color model) at the observation field while sequentially changing to 2 μm / min and 3 μm / min. The results are shown in FIGS. 5 (A) to (D) and FIG.
この場合、図５（Ａ）〜（Ｄ）に示したように、酢酸ブチル溶液の流量を０．３μｍ／ｍｉｎ、０．５μｍ／ｍｉｎ、１μｍ／ｍｉｎ及び２μｍ／ｍｉｎにしたときには、内相が気相となり、その周りの外相が油相となり、当該外相の周囲が水相となる３相構造のマイクロカプセル28が製造できることが分かった。なお、このマイクロカプセル28では、光の関係上、内相30となる気相周辺が黒い円環状に撮影され、この周囲に外相29が形成されている。 In this case, as shown in FIGS. 5 (A) to (D), when the flow rate of the butyl acetate solution is 0.3 μm / min, 0.5 μm / min, 1 μm / min, and 2 μm / min, It was found that a microcapsule 28 having a three-phase structure in which a gas phase is formed, an outer phase around the gas phase is an oil phase, and a periphery of the outer phase is an aqueous phase can be produced. In this microcapsule 28, the gas phase periphery that becomes the inner phase 30 is photographed in a black annular shape due to light, and the outer phase 29 is formed around this.
しかしながら、図６に示したように、酢酸ブチル溶液の流量を３μｍ／ｍｉｎにしたときには、連続相S2の中にマイクロカプセル28の他、油相だけからなる液滴28aも発生することが分かった。すなわち、この実験では、外相29となる酢酸ブチル溶液を過剰に供給すると、油相だけからなる液滴28aが発生してしまうことが分かった。従って、連続相S2の中にマイクロカプセル28だけを製造するためには、外相となる酢酸ブチル溶液の流量を適宜所定の値に制御する必要であることが分かった。 However, as shown in FIG. 6, it was found that when the flow rate of the butyl acetate solution was 3 μm / min, droplets 28a consisting only of the oil phase were generated in addition to the microcapsules 28 in the continuous phase S2. . That is, in this experiment, it was found that when the butyl acetate solution serving as the outer phase 29 was supplied excessively, droplets 28a consisting only of the oil phase were generated. Therefore, it was found that in order to manufacture only the microcapsules 28 in the continuous phase S2, it is necessary to appropriately control the flow rate of the butyl acetate solution as the outer phase to a predetermined value.
また、この実験では、図７に示すように、油相となる酢酸ブチル溶液の流量（以下、これを油相流量と呼ぶ）が増えると油相の膜厚が厚くなり、一方、油相流量が減ると油相の膜の厚さが薄くなることが分かり、油相流量を制御することにより油相の膜厚制御が行なえることが分かった。 In this experiment, as shown in FIG. 7, as the flow rate of the butyl acetate solution that becomes the oil phase (hereinafter referred to as the oil phase flow rate) increases, the film thickness of the oil phase increases, while the oil phase flow rate increases. It was found that the oil phase film thickness was reduced when the oil pressure decreased, and the oil phase film thickness could be controlled by controlling the oil phase flow rate.
次に、外相29を油相とする酢酸ブチル溶液及び内相30を気相とする空気Ａを一定の流量で連続相用流路７に供給しつつ、連続相S2を水相とするＰＶＡ水溶液の流量を変化させてマイクロカプセル28を製造する。そして、このときのマイクロカプセル28の内相30の直径（以下、これを気相サイズと呼ぶ）（図６中のｘ）、マイクロカプセル28が１ｓｅｃに何個製造できるかを示す製造率及び隣接するマイクロカプセル28間の距離となる製造ピッチ（図2(Ｂ)中のｙ）について観察を行なった。 Next, a PVA aqueous solution having the continuous phase S2 as the water phase while supplying the butyl acetate solution having the outer phase 29 as the oil phase and the air A having the inner phase 30 as the gas phase to the continuous phase flow path 7 at a constant flow rate. The microcapsule 28 is manufactured by changing the flow rate of the liquid. At this time, the diameter of the inner phase 30 of the microcapsule 28 (hereinafter referred to as the gas phase size) (x in FIG. 6), the production rate indicating how many microcapsules 28 can be produced in 1 sec, and the adjacent ratio Observation was made on the manufacturing pitch (y in FIG. 2 (B)), which was the distance between the microcapsules 28.
実際上、この実験では、外相29となる酢酸ブチル溶液を流量０．５μｍ／ｍｉｎとし、内相30となる空気Ａを流量４μｍ／ｍｉｎとして、連続相S2となるＰＶＡ水溶液の流量（以下、これを水相流量と呼ぶ）を４、６、８、…、１８μｍ／ｍｉｎの順に順次変化させて、各流量でのマイクロカプセル28の状態を観察した。 Actually, in this experiment, the flow rate of the aqueous PVA solution (hereinafter referred to as this), which is the continuous phase S2, with the flow rate of 0.5 μm / min for the butyl acetate solution as the outer phase 29 and the air flow rate of 4 μm / min as the inner phase 30 (Referred to as water phase flow rate) was sequentially changed in the order of 4, 6, 8,..., 18 μm / min, and the state of the microcapsule 28 at each flow rate was observed.
この場合、図８に示したように、マイクロカプセル28は、水相流量が増加するに伴い、気相サイズxが縮小することが分かった。特に、水相流量が４μｍ／ｍｉｎの場合と１８μｍ／ｍｉｎの場合とでは、マイクロカプセル28の気相サイズxが約５０パーセント縮小することが分かった。 In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, it was found that the gas phase size x of the microcapsule 28 was reduced as the aqueous phase flow rate was increased. In particular, it was found that the gas phase size x of the microcapsules 28 was reduced by about 50 percent when the aqueous phase flow rate was 4 μm / min and when 18 μm / min.
また、図９に示すように、水相流量を４〜１０μｍ／ｍｉｎとした各流量においては、水相流量の増加に伴い、製造率が向上することが分かった。しかしながら、水相流量が１２〜１８μｍ／ｍｉｎの間においては、水相流量の増加に伴い、製造率が低下することが分かった。また、製造ピッチyは、水相流量を増加させることにより大きくなり、そのばらつきも大きくなり不安定になることが分かった。 Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, it turned out that in each flow rate which made the water phase flow rate 4-10 micrometers / min, a manufacturing rate improved with the increase in a water phase flow rate. However, it was found that when the aqueous phase flow rate is between 12 and 18 μm / min, the production rate decreases as the aqueous phase flow rate increases. In addition, it was found that the production pitch y is increased by increasing the water phase flow rate, and the variation is increased and becomes unstable.
かくして、このマイクロカプセル製造装置１では、図１０に示すように、水相流量を制御することにより、マイクロカプセル28の気相サイズx、製造率及び製造ピッチyの制御が行なえることが分かった。 Thus, in this microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 10, it was found that the gas phase size x, the manufacturing rate, and the manufacturing pitch y of the microcapsules 28 can be controlled by controlling the water phase flow rate. .
（２）第２の実施の形態
図１との対応部分に同一符号を付して示す図１１は第２の実施の形態によるマイクロカプセル製造装置41を示すもので、第１の外相用流路42の一端に第１の外相導入部43が設けられているとともに、第２の外相用流路44の一端に第２の外相導入部45が設けられている点が上述した第１の実施の形態と異なる。
(2) Second Embodiment FIG. 11 in which the same reference numerals are assigned to the parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 shows a microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 41 according to the second embodiment. The first embodiment described above is that the first outer phase introducing portion 43 is provided at one end of 42 and the second outer phase introducing portion 45 is provided at one end of the second outer phase flow path 44. Different from form.
ここで第１の外相導入部42は、図１（Ｂ）との対応部分に同一符号を付して示す図１２のように、マイクロカプセル46の外相47のうち一方の半体部分（以下、これを第１の外相半体と呼ぶ）48aに油相を形成するために、例えば酢酸ブチル、フェノール、ブタノール、ベンゼン又はヘキサン等の鎖状炭化水素基を持つ有機化合物を含有する種々の第１の溶液S3を、第１の外相用流路42に供給し得るようになされている。また、第２の外相導入部45は、例えば酢酸ブチル、フェノール、ブタノール、ベンゼン又はヘキサン等のうち、第１の溶液S3と異なる第２の溶液S4を、第２の外相用流路に供給し、マイクロカプセル46の外相47のうち他方の半体部分（以下、これを第２の外相半体と呼ぶ）48bに第１の溶液S3とは特性が異なる油相を形成し得るようになされている。 Here, as shown in FIG. 12 where the first outer phase introduction part 42 is shown by assigning the same reference numerals to the corresponding parts to FIG. 1B, one half part (hereinafter referred to as the following) of the outer phase 47 of the microcapsule 46 In order to form an oil phase in 48a (referred to as the first outer phase half), various first compounds containing organic compounds having a chain hydrocarbon group such as butyl acetate, phenol, butanol, benzene or hexane are used. This solution S3 can be supplied to the first outer phase flow path 42. In addition, the second outer phase introduction unit 45 supplies, for example, a second solution S4 different from the first solution S3, such as butyl acetate, phenol, butanol, benzene, or hexane, to the second outer phase flow path. In the outer half 47 of the microcapsule 46, the other half (hereinafter referred to as a second outer half) 48b can form an oil phase having characteristics different from those of the first solution S3. Yes.
以上の構成によれば、マイクロカプセル製造装置41では、内相30となる空気Ａの両側部から外相47となる第１の溶液S3及び第２の溶液S4を合流させ、２種の第１の溶液S3及び第２の溶液S4で空気Ａを挟み込んだ層流体L2を形成し、連続相S2の流れと交差する向きから連続相用流路７に層流体L2を供給することで、連続相用流路７内に膨張部27を形成させ、当該膨張部27を連続相S2から受ける液圧により層流体L2から分離させるようにした。 According to the above configuration, in the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 41, the first solution S3 and the second solution S4 that are the outer phase 47 are merged from both sides of the air A that is the inner phase 30, and the two first types By forming the laminar fluid L2 with the air A sandwiched between the solution S3 and the second solution S4 and supplying the laminar fluid L2 to the continuous phase flow path 7 from the direction intersecting the flow of the continuous phase S2, An inflating part 27 is formed in the flow path 7, and the inflating part 27 is separated from the laminar fluid L2 by the liquid pressure received from the continuous phase S2.
従って、マイクロカプセル製造装置41では、マイクロカプセル47のうち、第１の外相半体48aを第１の溶液S3によって形成できるとともに、第２の外相半体48bを当該第１の溶液S3と異なる特性でなる第２の溶液S4により形成できる。 Therefore, in the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 41, the first outer phase half 48a of the microcapsule 47 can be formed by the first solution S3, and the second outer phase half 48b is different from the first solution S3. The second solution S4 can be formed.
かくしてマイクロカプセル製造装置41では、内相30が気相でなり、かつ外相47が第１の外相半体48a及び第２の外相半体48bからなる油相でなるマイクロカプセル47を水相たる連続相S2内に製造できる。 Thus, in the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 41, the microcapsule 47 in which the inner phase 30 is in the gas phase and the outer phase 47 is the oil phase composed of the first outer phase half 48a and the second outer phase half 48b is the continuous water phase. Can be manufactured in phase S2.
また、マイクロカプセル製造装置41では、第１の外相用流路42の一端に第１の外相導入部43が設け、第２の外相用流路44の一端に第２の外相導入部45を設けたことにより、第１の外相用流路42及び第２の外相用流路44に供給する流量を個別に調節することで、第１の外相半体48a及び第２の外相半体48bが外相47を占める割合を適宜調節できる。 Further, in the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus 41, a first outer phase introduction section 43 is provided at one end of the first outer phase flow path 42, and a second outer phase introduction section 45 is provided at one end of the second outer phase flow path 44. Thus, the first outer phase half 48a and the second outer phase half 48b can be adjusted by individually adjusting the flow rates supplied to the first outer phase flow path 42 and the second outer phase flow path 44. The proportion of 47 can be adjusted as appropriate.
（３）第３の実施の形態
図１（Ｂ）との対応部分に同一符号を付して示す図１３は第３の実施の形態によるマイクロカプセル製造装置の一部詳細構成を示すもので、この場合、微細流路50は、合流供給部20が設けられた層流形成流路６と、当該合流供給部20の排出口に連通した多層流形成流路52と、この多層流形成流路52の下流に連結した連続相用流路７とから構成されている。
(3) Third Embodiment FIG. 13 showing the same reference numerals in the corresponding parts to FIG. 1 (B) shows a part of the detailed configuration of the microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to the third embodiment. In this case, the fine flow path 50 includes a laminar flow forming flow path 6 provided with the confluence supplying section 20, a multi-layer flow forming flow path 52 communicating with the discharge port of the confluence supplying section 20, and the multi-layer flow forming flow path. And a continuous-phase flow path 7 connected downstream of 52.
層流形成流路６では、上述した第１の実施の形態と同様に、合流供給部20において、第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11から供給される第１の溶液S3を、内相用流路８から供給された空気Ａの両側から供給することにより層流体L1を形成し得るようになされている。 In the laminar flow forming channel 6, as in the first embodiment described above, the first supplying from the first outer phase channel 10 and the second outer phase channel 11 in the confluence supply unit 20. By supplying the solution S3 from both sides of the air A supplied from the inner-phase flow path 8, the layer fluid L1 can be formed.
多層流形成流路52は、内相用流路８を中心にして対称に形成された所定角度を有する第３の外相用流路55及び第４の外相用流路56を備え、合流供給部20の供給部24と、第３の外相用流路55及び第４の外相用流路56の下流側とが層流体合流部57に連通されている。 The multilayer flow forming flow path 52 includes a third outer phase flow path 55 and a fourth outer phase flow path 56 having a predetermined angle formed symmetrically about the inner phase flow path 8, and a merging supply unit The 20 supply sections 24 and the downstream side of the third outer phase flow path 55 and the fourth outer phase flow path 56 are communicated with the laminar fluid merging section 57.
ここで、第３の外相用流路55及び第４の外相用流路56は、上流側が第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11よりも内相用流路８から遠ざかった位置に設けられ、他端側が下流へゆくに従って次第に層流体合流部57に近づいてゆき、層流体合流部57付近において連続相用流路７と平行になるよう折れ曲がり、排出口が層流体合流部57に連通するように形成されている。 Here, the third outer-phase channel 55 and the fourth outer-phase channel 56 are upstream from the inner-phase channel 8 than the first outer-phase channel 10 and the second outer-phase channel 11 on the upstream side. It is provided at a position away from the other end, and gradually approaches the laminar fluid merging portion 57 as the other end moves downstream, and bends in the vicinity of the laminar fluid merging portion 57 so as to be parallel to the continuous phase flow path 7, and the discharge port is stratified fluid. It is formed so as to communicate with merging portion 57.
因みに、この実施の形態の場合、第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11は、１つの第１の共通流路（図示せず）を分岐させて形成し、第１の溶液S3が第１の共通流路から均等に供給され得る。また、第３の外相用流路55及び第４の外相用流路56は、１つの第２の共通流路（図示せず）を分岐させて形成し、第２の溶液S4が第２の共通流路から均等に供給され得る。 Incidentally, in the case of this embodiment, the first outer-phase channel 10 and the second outer-phase channel 11 are formed by branching one first common channel (not shown), and the first The solution S3 can be evenly supplied from the first common flow path. The third outer phase channel 55 and the fourth outer phase channel 56 are formed by branching one second common channel (not shown), and the second solution S4 is the second solution S4. It can be evenly supplied from the common flow path.
そして、層流体合流部57には、合流供給部20から層流体L1が供給されるとともに、当該層流体L1の両側から第３の外相用流路55及び第４の外相用流路56を介して第２の溶液S4が供給され得る。 Then, the laminar fluid merging portion 57 is supplied with the laminar fluid L1 from the merging supply portion 20, and from both sides of the laminar fluid L1 via the third outer phase channel 55 and the fourth outer phase channel 56. Then, the second solution S4 can be supplied.
これにより、層流体合流部57では、第２の溶液S4、第１の溶液S3、空気Ａ、第１の溶液S3及び第２の溶液S4の順に配置された多層でなる層流体（以下、これを単に多層流体と呼ぶ）L3を形成し、供給部60によって連続相用流路７と交差する向きから多層流体L3を供給し、膨張部61を形成し得るようになされている。 As a result, the laminar fluid merging portion 57 has a multi-layer fluid (hereinafter referred to as this) that is arranged in the order of the second solution S4, the first solution S3, the air A, the first solution S3, and the second solution S4. (Referred to simply as “multilayer fluid”), and the multilayer fluid L3 is supplied from the direction intersecting the continuous phase flow path 7 by the supply section 60 to form the expansion section 61.
かくして、連続相用流路７内では、次第に空気Ａが膨らんでゆくとともに、当該空気Ａの外周を取り囲む第１の溶液S3及び第２の溶液S4も次第に膨らんでゆき、膨張部61が大きくなる。この際、膨張部61は、連続相S2内で膨らむに従って連続相S2から受ける液圧も大きくなり、その結果、所定の大きさにまで膨らむと、供給部60で留まることができずに、当該供給部60において多層流体L3から分離してマイクロカプセル62となり得る。 Thus, in the continuous phase flow path 7, the air A gradually expands, and the first solution S3 and the second solution S4 that surround the outer periphery of the air A also gradually expand, and the expansion portion 61 becomes large. . At this time, as the inflating section 61 swells in the continuous phase S2, the hydraulic pressure received from the continuous phase S2 also increases.As a result, when the inflating section 61 swells to a predetermined size, the inflating section 61 cannot remain in the supply section 60, The microcapsules 62 can be separated from the multilayer fluid L3 in the supply unit 60.
このようにして多層流体L3は、第２の外相65bが第２の溶液S4で形成された油相でなるとともに、内相30が空気Ａで形成された気相でなり、さらに当該第２の外相65bと内相30との間に第１の溶液S3で形成された第１の外相65aを備えたマイクロカプセル62となり得る。 In this way, the multilayer fluid L3 is composed of an oil phase in which the second outer phase 65b is formed of the second solution S4, and a gas phase in which the inner phase 30 is formed of air A. The microcapsule 62 may include a first outer phase 65a formed of the first solution S3 between the outer phase 65b and the inner phase 30.
以上の構成において、微細流路50では、第１の溶液S3及び空気Ａを所定の流量で合流供給部20に供給することで、当該合流供給部20で空気Ａを第１の溶液S3で挟み込んだ層流体L1を形成し、この層流体L1を層流体合流部57に供給する。 In the above configuration, in the fine channel 50, the first solution S3 and the air A are supplied to the merging supply unit 20 at a predetermined flow rate so that the air A is sandwiched between the first solution S3 in the merging supply unit 20. The layer fluid L1 is formed, and this layer fluid L1 is supplied to the layer fluid junction 57.
また、層流体合流部57では、第２の溶液S4が所定の流量で供給されることで、層流体L1を第２の溶液S4で挟み込んだ多層流体L3を形成し、この多層流体L3を連続相S2内に供給する。 In the laminar fluid junction 57, the second solution S4 is supplied at a predetermined flow rate to form a multilayer fluid L3 in which the layer fluid L1 is sandwiched between the second solutions S4. Feed into phase S2.
これにより微細流路50では、多層流体L3が第１の溶液S3及び第２の溶液S4で空気Ａを包み込んだまま膨らんだ膨張部61を連続相S2内に形成できる。 As a result, in the fine channel 50, the inflatable portion 61 in which the multilayer fluid L3 swells while enclosing the air A with the first solution S3 and the second solution S4 can be formed in the continuous phase S2.
そして、微細流路50では、連続相用流路７内に連続相S2を所定の流量で供給するようにしたことにより、膨張部61が連続相S2内で所定の大きさまで膨らむと、連続相S2による液圧により膨張部61が多層流体L3から分離し、これにより連続相S2を水相とした４相構造のマイクロカプセル62を製造できる。 In the fine flow path 50, the continuous phase S2 is supplied into the continuous phase flow path 7 at a predetermined flow rate, so that when the inflating portion 61 expands to a predetermined size in the continuous phase S2, the continuous phase S2 The expansion portion 61 is separated from the multilayer fluid L3 by the hydraulic pressure due to S2, and thereby, a microcapsule 62 having a four-phase structure in which the continuous phase S2 is an aqueous phase can be manufactured.
以上の構成によれば、内相30となる空気Ａの両側部から第１の外相65aとなる第１の溶液S3を合流させた後、第２の外相65bとなる第２の溶液S4を合流させ、２種の第１の溶液S3及び第２の溶液S4で空気Ａを挟み込んだ多層流体L3を形成し、連続相S2の流れと交差する向きから連続相用流路７に多層流体L3を供給することで、連続相用流路７内に膨張部61を形成させ、当該膨張部61を前記連続相から受ける液圧により前記層流体から分離させるようにした。 According to the above configuration, after the first solution S3 that becomes the first outer phase 65a is merged from both sides of the air A that becomes the inner phase 30, the second solution S4 that becomes the second outer phase 65b is merged. Then, a multilayer fluid L3 is formed in which air A is sandwiched between the two types of first solution S3 and second solution S4, and the multilayer fluid L3 is introduced into the continuous phase flow path 7 from the direction intersecting the flow of the continuous phase S2. By supplying, the expansion part 61 was formed in the continuous-phase flow path 7, and the expansion part 61 was separated from the layer fluid by the liquid pressure received from the continuous phase.
これにより、微細流路50では、連続相S2に供給された第１の外相65aとなる第１の溶液S3及び第２の外相65bとなる第２の溶液S4全てをマイクロカプセル62の第１の外相65a及び第２の外相65bとして用いることができるようになり、余分な第１の溶液S3及び第２の溶液S4が連続相S2内に流出することもないので、従来のように連続相S2内でマイクロカプセル62と余分な第１の溶液S3及び第２の溶液S4とが合体せず、マイクロカプセル62と余分な第１の溶液S3及び第２の溶液S4との分離工程を省くことができ、かくして一段と容易にマイクロカプセル62を製造し得る。 As a result, in the fine channel 50, the first solution S3 to be the first outer phase 65a and the second solution S4 to be the second outer phase 65b supplied to the continuous phase S2 are all removed from the first capsule S62. Since it can be used as the outer phase 65a and the second outer phase 65b, and the excess first solution S3 and second solution S4 do not flow out into the continuous phase S2, the continuous phase S2 as in the prior art. In this case, the microcapsule 62 is not combined with the extra first solution S3 and the second solution S4, and the separation step of the microcapsule 62 from the extra first solution S3 and the second solution S4 can be omitted. Thus, the microcapsule 62 can be manufactured more easily.
（４）他の実施の形態
以上、本発明の第１〜第３の実施の形態について説明したが、本発明は、当該第１〜第３の実施の形態に限定されるものではなく、種々の変形実施が可能である。例えば、内相30となる気体として空気Ａを用いたが、この他種々の気体を用いても良い。
(4) Other Embodiments Although the first to third embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the first to third embodiments, and various Can be implemented. For example, air A is used as the gas that becomes the inner phase 30, but various other gases may be used.
また、上述した第１〜第３の実施の形態においては、マイクロカプセル28，46，62の外相29や中間相65を油相とし、連続相S2を水相とした場合について述べたが、本発明はこれに限らず、マイクロカプセル28，46，62の外相29や中間相65を水相とし、連続相S2を油相としても良い。 In the first to third embodiments described above, the case where the outer phase 29 and the intermediate phase 65 of the microcapsules 28, 46 and 62 are the oil phase and the continuous phase S2 is the water phase has been described. The invention is not limited to this, and the outer phase 29 and the intermediate phase 65 of the microcapsules 28, 46, 62 may be the water phase, and the continuous phase S2 may be the oil phase.
さらに、上述した第３の実施の形態においては、第１の共通流路を分岐させて第１の外相用流路10及び第２の外相用流路11を形成し、第２の共通流路を分岐させて第３の外相用流路55及び第４の外相用流路56を形成したが、本発明はこれに限らず、上述した第２の実施の形態に示したように、第１の外相用流路10、第２の外相用流路11、第３の外相用流路55及び第４の外相用流路56の導入部をそれぞれ個別に設け、各導入部からそれぞれ異なる溶液を供給するようにしても良い。 Further, in the above-described third embodiment, the first common channel is branched to form the first outer phase channel 10 and the second outer phase channel 11, and the second common channel. The third outer phase flow path 55 and the fourth outer phase flow path 56 are formed by branching, but the present invention is not limited to this, as shown in the second embodiment described above, the first The external phase flow channel 10, the second external phase flow channel 11, the third external phase flow channel 55, and the fourth external phase flow channel 56 are individually provided, and different solutions are provided from the respective introduction portions. You may make it supply.
この場合、第１の外相用流路10、第２の外相用流路11、第３の外相用流路55及び第４の外相用流路56に供給する液体や流量を個別に調節することで、マイクロカプセル62の外相29や中間相65の半体部分等を所定の液体で形成できる。 In this case, the liquid and flow rate supplied to the first external phase flow path 10, the second external phase flow path 11, the third external phase flow path 55, and the fourth external phase flow path 56 are individually adjusted. Thus, the outer phase 29 of the microcapsule 62, the half of the intermediate phase 65, and the like can be formed from a predetermined liquid.
１、41 マイクロカプセル製造装置
８ 内相用流路
10 第１の外相用流路
11 第２の外相用流路
22 合流部
24、60 供給部
28、46、62 マイクロカプセル
43 第１の外相導入部（導入部）
45 第２の外相導入部（導入部）
57 層流体合流部（合流部）
1, 41 Microcapsule production equipment 8 Internal phase flow path
10 First external phase flow path
11 Second external phase flow path
22 Junction
24, 60 Supply section
28, 46, 62 microcapsules
43 First external phase introduction section (introduction section)
45 Second external phase introduction section (introduction section)
57 Layer fluid junction (joint)
Claims (21)
ことを特徴とする請求項１記載のマイクロカプセル。 The microcapsule according to claim 1, wherein the liquid and the gas have insolubility that does not dissolve or hardly dissolve.
ことを特徴とする請求項１又は２記載のマイクロカプセル。 The microcapsule according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the external phase liquid and the gas have insolubility that is insoluble or difficult to dissolve.
ことを特徴とする請求項１〜３のうちいずれか１項記載のマイクロカプセル。 The microcapsule according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the liquid and the liquid for the external phase have insolubility that does not dissolve or hardly dissolve each other.
ことを特徴とする請求項１記載のマイクロカプセル。 The continuous phase is composed of any one of an oil phase and an aqueous phase, and the outer phase is composed of the other oil phase or the aqueous phase different from the continuous phase among the oil phase and the aqueous phase. The microcapsule according to claim 1.
前記連続相となる液体が流れる連続相用流路と、前記内相となる気体が流れる内相用流路と、該内相用流路の両側部から前記外相となる１種又は２種以上の外相用液体を供給し、前記１種又は２種以上の外相用液体で前記気体を両側から挟み込んだ層流体を形成する合流部と、前記連続相の流れと交差する向きから前記連続相用流路に前記層流体を供給する供給部とを備え、
前記連続相用流路内では、前記気体を前記外相用液体で包み込んだ状態で所定の大きさまで膨らんだ膨張部が形成され、該膨張部が前記連続相による液圧により前記層流体から分離する
ことを特徴とするマイクロカプセル製造装置。 In a microcapsule manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a microcapsule in which an inner phase is wrapped in an outer phase in a continuous phase,
The continuous phase flow path through which the liquid as the continuous phase flows, the internal phase flow path through which the gas as the internal phase flows, and one or more of the external phases from both sides of the internal phase flow path An outer phase liquid, a merging portion for forming a laminar fluid in which the gas is sandwiched from both sides with the one or more outer phase liquids, and the continuous phase from the direction intersecting the flow of the continuous phase A supply section for supplying the layer fluid to the flow path,
In the continuous phase flow path, an expansion portion is formed that swells to a predetermined size in a state where the gas is encased in the outer phase liquid, and the expansion portion is separated from the layer fluid by the hydraulic pressure of the continuous phase. The microcapsule manufacturing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.
ことを特徴とする請求項６記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置。 The microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the liquid and the gas have insolubility that does not dissolve or hardly dissolve.
ことを特徴とする請求項６又は７記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置。 The microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the external phase liquid and the gas have insolubility that does not dissolve or hardly dissolve each other.
ことを特徴とする請求項６〜８のうちいずれか１項記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置。 The microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the liquid and the external phase liquid are insoluble or hardly soluble in each other.
ことを特徴とする請求項６記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置。 The continuous phase is composed of any one of an oil phase and an aqueous phase, and the outer phase is composed of the other oil phase or the aqueous phase different from the continuous phase among the oil phase and the aqueous phase. The microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6.
前記第１の外相用流路及び前記第２の外相用流路は、共通流路から分岐して形成されている
ことを特徴とする請求項６〜１０のうちいずれか１項記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置。 A first external phase flow channel that supplies the external phase liquid from one side of the internal phase flow channel, and a second external phase flow channel that supplies the external phase liquid from the other side of the internal phase flow channel. And
The microcapsule according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the first outer-phase channel and the second outer-phase channel are branched from a common channel. Manufacturing equipment.
前記第１の外相用流路及び前記第２の外相用流路は、前記外相用液体が供給される導入部がそれぞれ個別に設けられている
ことを特徴とする請求項６〜１０のうちいずれか１項記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置。 A first external phase flow channel that supplies the external phase liquid from one side of the internal phase flow channel, and a second external phase flow channel that supplies the external phase liquid from the other side of the internal phase flow channel. And
11. The first outer phase flow path and the second outer phase flow path are each provided with an introduction section to which the external phase liquid is supplied. The microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.
ことを特徴とする請求項１２記載のマイクロカプセル製造装置。 A first external phase liquid is supplied to the first external phase flow path, and a second external phase liquid different from the first external phase liquid is supplied to the second external phase flow path. The microcapsule manufacturing apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that:
前記内相となる気体が流れる内相用流路の両側部から前記外相となる１種又は２種以上の外相用液体を供給し、前記１種又は２種以上の外相用液体で前記気体を両側から挟み込んだ層流体を形成する合流ステップと、
前記連続相の流れと交差する向きから前記層流体を供給する供給ステップと、
前記気体を前記外相用液体で包み込んだ状態で所定の大きさまで膨らませた膨張部を、前記連続相が流れる連続相用流路内に形成する形成ステップと、
前記膨張部が前記連続相による液圧により前記層流体から分離する分離ステップと
を備えることを特徴とするマイクロカプセル製造方法。 In a microcapsule manufacturing method for manufacturing a microcapsule in which an inner phase is wrapped in an outer phase in a continuous phase,
One or more external phase liquids serving as the outer phase are supplied from both sides of the internal phase flow path through which the gas serving as the internal phase flows, and the gas is supplied with the one or two or more external phase liquids. A merging step to form a laminar fluid sandwiched from both sides;
Supplying a laminar fluid from a direction intersecting the continuous phase flow;
Forming an inflated portion inflated to a predetermined size in a state where the gas is encased in the outer phase liquid in a continuous phase flow path through which the continuous phase flows;
A separation step in which the expansion part separates from the layer fluid by a hydraulic pressure by the continuous phase.
ことを特徴とする請求項１４記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法。 The microcapsule manufacturing method according to claim 14, wherein the liquid and the gas have insolubility that does not dissolve or hardly dissolve each other.
ことを特徴とする請求項１４又は１５記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法。 The microcapsule manufacturing method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the external phase liquid and the gas have insolubility that does not dissolve or hardly dissolve each other.
ことを特徴とする請求項１４〜１６のうちいずれか１項記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法。 The method of manufacturing a microcapsule according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the liquid and the external phase liquid are insoluble or hardly soluble in each other.
ことを特徴とする請求項１４記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法。 The continuous phase is composed of one of an oil phase and an aqueous phase, and the outer phase is composed of the other oil phase and the aqueous phase different from the continuous phase among the oil phase and the aqueous phase. The method for producing microcapsules according to claim 14.
ことを特徴とする請求項１４〜１８のうちいずれか１項記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法。 15. In the merging step, the outer phase liquid is merged from both sides of the gas via a first outer phase channel and a second outer phase channel branched from a common channel. The microcapsule manufacturing method according to any one of -18.
ことを特徴とする請求項１４〜１８のうちいずれか１項記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法。 In the merging step, the external phase liquid is supplied from each of the introduction sections separately provided in the first external phase flow path and the second external phase flow path, and the first external phase flow path and the second external phase flow path The microcapsule manufacturing method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the outer phase liquid is merged from both sides of the gas by the outer phase flow path.
ことを特徴とする請求項２０記載のマイクロカプセル製造方法。 In the merging step, a first external phase liquid is supplied to the first external phase flow path, and a second external phase liquid different from the first external phase liquid is supplied to the second external phase flow path. The method for producing microcapsules according to claim 20, wherein the microcapsules are supplied.
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Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2014518768A (en) * | 2011-05-23 | 2014-08-07 | プレジデント アンド フェローズ オブ ハーバード カレッジ | Emulsion control including multiple emulsions |
| US10316873B2 (en) | 2005-03-04 | 2019-06-11 | President And Fellows Of Harvard College | Method and apparatus for forming multiple emulsions |
| US10874997B2 (en) | 2009-09-02 | 2020-12-29 | President And Fellows Of Harvard College | Multiple emulsions created using jetting and other techniques |
| CN114471389A (en) * | 2022-01-14 | 2022-05-13 | 厦门大学 | Micro-fluidic preparation method and application of marine polymer microspheres |
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2006
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Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10316873B2 (en) | 2005-03-04 | 2019-06-11 | President And Fellows Of Harvard College | Method and apparatus for forming multiple emulsions |
| US10874997B2 (en) | 2009-09-02 | 2020-12-29 | President And Fellows Of Harvard College | Multiple emulsions created using jetting and other techniques |
| JP2014518768A (en) * | 2011-05-23 | 2014-08-07 | プレジデント アンド フェローズ オブ ハーバード カレッジ | Emulsion control including multiple emulsions |
| CN114471389A (en) * | 2022-01-14 | 2022-05-13 | 厦门大学 | Micro-fluidic preparation method and application of marine polymer microspheres |
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