Abstract

Microgels are materials that have the properties to swell and shrink when exposed to external stimuli, i.e. temperature and pH. Therefore, they are instrumental in the field of drug delivery, but their production is complicated. Different strategies have been used to produce microgels from which emulsion polymerization and microfluidic techniques are commonly used. Lab-on-a-chip devices are handy and alternative tools to produce microgels because they provide control on the size, shape and reproducible production of microgels. This review will highlight the ways how to initiate polymerization inside droplets and convert them into microgels using lab-on-a-chip devices.

Keywords: Microgels; Microfluidics; Miniaturisation; Droplet microfluidics; Polymers