Fluid Addition To Immiscible Fluid Discrete Volumes Using An Electric Field

Abstract

Compositions are provided comprising a first fluid, in the form of discrete volumes, wherein the discrete volumes are spaced apart from one another by a second fluid that is immiscible with the first fluid. According to various embodiments, the composition can comprise a surface active agent, for example, a surfactant, that lowers, minimizes, and/or eliminates coalescence between two adjacent discrete volumes of the first fluid, in the absence of an applied electric potential or field. In some embodiments, the first fluid can comprise an aqueous solution, for example, containing biological material and/or reagents, and the second fluid can comprise an oil. Systems are also provided that can comprise a conduit system for flowing compositions such as those described above, and circuitry configured to supply an electric potential and/or electric field at, near, and/or adjacent, a junction in the conduit system. The electrical potential, and/or electric field generated thereby, can be matched to the coalescence properties of the composition such that, when applied, an addition fluid continuously flowed into a junction with the composition can be added directly to a discrete volume of the composition as it passes through the junction. Methods using the compositions and systems are also provided.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method of coalescing an addition fluid with a discrete volume of a second fluid, comprising:
 flowing a composition of fluids through a first conduit, the composition of fluids comprising discrete volumes of a first fluid in the second fluid, the first fluid and the second fluid being immiscible with one another and the discrete volumes being spaced apart from one another by the second fluid;   positioning a first discrete volume of the discrete volumes in a junction in the first conduit, the junction comprising a second conduit in fluid communication with the first conduit;   flowing a body of addition fluid through the second conduit and into the junction so that a portion of the body of addition fluid contacts the first discrete volume, the addition fluid being miscible with the first fluid but non-coalesceable with the first discrete volume in the absence of an applied electric field; and   applying an electric field to the junction to cause the portion of the body of addition fluid to coalesce with the first discrete volume at the junction.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition of fluids comprises a surface active agent that is soluble in the second fluid and has a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of from about 2 to about 7. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the surface active agent is present in the second fluid at a concentration of from about 0.1% by weight to about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the second fluid and surface active agent. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second fluid comprises a non-fluorinated polyalkylpolysiloxane oil and the first fluid comprises an aqueous fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the surface active agent comprises a polyalkyleneoxide-substituted siloxane. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the surface active agent comprises a polyethylene glycol-substituted siloxane. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second fluid comprises a non-fluorinated polyalkylpolysiloxane oil and the surface active agent comprises a polyalkyleneoxide-substituted polysiloxane. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second fluid comprises an oil, the second fluid comprises an aqueous fluid. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the applying an electric field comprises applying an electric potential of at least about 5.0 volts, alternating current, at a frequency of at least about 4.0 kHz, at the junction. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the applying an electric field comprises applying an electric potential to an electrode sleeve surrounding a portion of the second conduit at the junction. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising continuously pushing the addition fluid through the second conduit and into the junction. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the applying an electric field comprises applying an electric potential of at least about 5.0 volts alternating current at a frequency of from about 4.0 kHz to about 50.0 kHz. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first fluid comprises a silicone oil, the surface active agent comprises a polyalkylene oxide-substituted polysiloxane, and the applying an electric field comprises applying an electric potential of at least about 5.0 volts alternating current at a frequency of at least about 1.0 kHz.