Fabrication of monodisperse gel shells and functional microgels in microfluidic devices

(Figure Presented) Microgel structures such as spherical microgel shells (picture on the upper left) and spherical microgel particles that incorporate quantum dots, magnetic nanoparticles, and polymer microparticles (other images) have been prepared by a capillary microfluidic technique. Because these particles change their volume with changes in temperature, they may find application in, for example, drug delivery.