High yield production of monodisperse capsules suspension by continuous droplet interface crossing encapsulation (cDICE) controlled by a centrifugal force – cDICE

The aim of the projet is to complete the proof of concept of a new process for the production of capsules of various size and shell composition. So far, the proof of concept is completed for particular class of capsules, namely the vesicles (also called liposome) where the shell consist of lipids or surfactants. Very diverse aqueous suspensions (proteins in saline buffer, high osmolarity buffers , viscous solutions, red blood cells, DNA solutions, micrometric colloids...) have been encapsulated and produced vesicles are tunable in size in the range 10-100 microns with a small polydispersity, i.e. a standard deviation to mean ratio less than 10%. A patent application has been submitted in july 2009 and is under evaluation. The process we invented is based on the continuous production of droplets that are then forced to cross an interface covered by surfactants. The crossing of the interface is crucial since it control the stability and the composition of the shell.
The production of capsules is a exploding field where the global needs are huge, but where each application requires often very specific solution. Among the advantages of our process, based on tunable physical forces, is its high yield, but also its versatility and its robustness: it should be possible to extend it to other type of shell, for instance polymeric ones, with minimum tuning of operating conditions.
Technically the goal of the project is first to improve the process of vesicle production, which means to extend the range of size and to improve the yield. Secondly, it aims at adapting it to the production of capsules of various composition and eventually to scale it up.
Scientifically, the challenge is to shed light on the coupling between inertial forces and capillary ones in a multiphasic medium under constrain. Kinetics of adsorption of surfactant, polymers or colloidal particles is also a critical parameter.
Our process has the advantage in the context of an industrial application of being low-cost, high-yield and easy to implement and scale up. The goal of this program is to develop and to realize the vast potentialities of our technology together with identified economic actors in some of the various fields where our technology could represent a breakthrough: encapsulation, controlled release, cosmetics, skin-care, pharmaceutics, chemical and food industries, artificial blood and oxygen carrier, calibration for medical analyzers, depending on the solution to be encapsulated.
The first means will be to concede exploitation license on the patent application to identified national and/or international industrial actors. The funding of this project will allow the process to be immediately and easily implemented in the industrial sector. We also envisage improving the technology on specific applications together with industrials by setting up collaborations and partnership. Complementary patent applications could then be filed, strengthening existing industrial property.