ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the latest developments in manufacturing particulate products from emulsion droplets using membrane and microfluidic devices. The most commonly used membranes for cross-membrane emulsification are Shirasu porous glass (SPG) and sintered ceramic alumina membranes. The strong hydrophilic nature of SPG membrane favors the formation of uniform microspheres from hydrophobic monomers, such as styrenic monomers. Multiple emulsions can also be produced using a silicon microchip in much the same way as that is done using a porous membrane. In a solid-in-oil-in-water dispersion, oil droplets enclosing solid micro- or nanoparticles are dispersed in a continuous aqueous phase. Solid lipid nano- and microparticles represent an alternative drug and nutrient delivery system to traditional drug carriers, such as emulsions, liposomes, and polymeric microparticles. Polymer microcapsules with liquid cores have applications in the encapsulation of drugs, cells, pesticides, perfumes, liquid inks, paints, and toners. Colloidosomes are hollow microshells fabricated by the self-assembly of colloidal particles onto the interface of emulsion droplets.
