IISc Scientists Develop Revolutionary Technique for Liquid Droplet Encapsulation

Ankita Garkoti Senior Content Writer

Senior Content Writer

IISc scientists pioneer a method encapsulating liquid droplets, enabling precise control in chemistry, biology, and materials science applications—a revolutionary breakthrough in droplet functionality.

IISc Scientists Develop Revolutionary Technique for Liquid Droplet Encapsulation

New Delhi: Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have devised a groundbreaking technique to encase liquid droplets for various purposes, from growing single crystals to advancing cell culture in labs.

Lead researcher Rutvik Lathia from IISc's Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) highlighted the significance of droplets across fields like microreactors, drug delivery, crystallisation studies, and cell culture. However, droplets face challenges like contamination and rapid evaporation.

The innovative technique leverages the capillary effect, using oil-loving and hydrophobic particles to create a composite shell around the droplets. This method allows precise tuning of the shell's thickness, facilitating the encapsulation of different-sized droplets.

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Ques. What is the potential of IISc research findings in various fields?

Ans. This revolutionary technique, published in Nature Communications, could potentially revolutionise various fields by offering precise control and improved functionality in droplet-based applications.

About IISc Research on Technique to Encapsulate Liquid Droplets

Prosenjit Sen, an Associate Professor at CeNSE, noted, “Our approach offers new possibilities in droplet-based applications, offering precise control in chemistry, biology, and materials science”.

The team's method involves coating droplets with small hydrophobic beads, transforming them into 'Liquid Marbles.' Placed on oil-infused surfaces, these marbles trigger capillary forces, causing oil to rise into tiny pores between the beads.

This process creates a stable liquid film around the droplets, effectively encapsulating them. The researchers also experimented with wax instead of oil, creating solid shells by adjusting the temperature.

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This encapsulation significantly reduces droplet evaporation, prolonging their lifetime by up to 200 times. Moreover, the team could adjust shell thickness flexibly, accommodating droplets of various volumes.

Sen mentioned, “Our technique opens avenues for novel applications. We've successfully grown single crystals using these coated droplets and enhanced success rates in biological applications like 3D cell culture and yeast cell growth”.

Ques. What is the future use of IISc Research on Liquid Droplet Encapsulation?

Ans. The researchers plan to explore diverse materials for encapsulation, aiming to enhance tunability, like capsules with distinct properties using polymers.
By introducing this pioneering encapsulation method, IISc scientists have unlocked promising opportunities across chemistry, biology, and materials science, revolutionising droplet-related applications.

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