Abstract: A method of making solid beads is disclosed, said method comprising: (i) providing a microfluidic device comprising a carrier fluid conduit and a functional fluid conduit which meet at a junction region; (ii) providing a laminar flow of a functional fluid comprising a solvent and a solute along the functional fluid conduit and providing a laminar flow of a carrier fluid along the carrier fluid conduit so as to form droplets of functional fluid in a flow of carrier fluid; (iii) cooling the segments of functional fluid in a conduit of the microfluidic device to form cooled (preferably frozen) droplets; and (iv) providing a liquid into intimate admixture with the cooled droplets so as to cause said solvent to exit said cooled droplets, thus forming solid beads. A microfluidic device for use in such a method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming solid beads, the method comprising: Providing a first liquid comprising a solute and a solvent Forming liquid droplets of the first liquid Contacting the liquid droplets with a second liquid so as to cause the solvent to exit the droplets, thus forming solid beads, the solute comprising a polymer, the concentration of polymer in the first liquid being at least 7% w/v., the solubility of the solvent in the second liquid being at least 5 g of solvent per 100 ml of second liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for making solid beads is provided, the apparatus comprising at least one liquid droplet generator operable to generate droplets comprising a solute dissolved in a solvent, and at least one flow channel for carrying a second liquid, at least one liquid droplet generator and at least one flow channel being spaced relative to one another so that, in use, liquid droplets pass through a gas into a second liquid provided in said flow channel, the solvent being soluble in the second liquid so as to cause the solvent to exit the droplets, thus forming solid beads. A method of preparing solid beads is also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming solid beads, the method comprising: Providing a first liquid comprising a solute and a solvent Forming liquid droplets of the first liquid Contacting the liquid droplets with a second liquid so as to cause the solvent to exit the droplets, thus forming solid beads, the solute comprising a polymer, the concentration of polymer in the first liquid being at least 7% w/v., the solubility of the solvent in the second liquid being at least 5 g of solvent per 100 ml of second liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for making solid beads is provided, the apparatus comprising at least one liquid droplet generator operable to generate droplets comprising a solute dissolved in a solvent, and at least one flow channel for carrying a second liquid, at least one liquid droplet generator and at least one flow channel being spaced relative to one another so that, in use, liquid droplets pass through a gas into a second liquid provided in said flow channel, the solvent being soluble in the second liquid so as to cause the solvent to exit the droplets, thus forming solid beads. A method of preparing solid beads is also provided.

Abstract: A method of making solid beads is disclosed, said method comprising: (i) providing a microfluidic device comprising a carrier fluid conduit and a functional fluid conduit which meet at a junction region; (ii) providing a laminar flow of a functional fluid comprising a solvent and a solute along the functional fluid conduit and providing a laminar flow of a carrier fluid along the carrier fluid conduit so as to form droplets of functional fluid in a flow of carrier fluid; (iii) cooling the segments of functional fluid in a conduit of the microfluidic device to form cooled (preferably frozen) droplets; and (iv) providing a liquid into intimate admixture with the cooled droplets so as to cause said solvent to exit said cooled droplets, thus forming solid beads. A microfluidic device for use in such a method is also disclosed.