A Stochastic Model for Nucleation Kinetics Determination in Droplet-Based Microfluidic Systems.

ABSTRACT: The measured induction times in droplet-based microfluidic systems are stochastic and are not described by the deterministic population balances or moment equations commonly used to model the crystallization of amino acids, proteins, and active pharmaceutical ingredients. A stochastic model in the form of a Master equation is formulated for crystal nucleation in droplet-based microfluidic systems for any form of nucleation rate expression under conditions of time-varying supersaturation. An analytical solution is provided to describe the (1) time evolution of the probability of crystal nucleation, (2) the average number of crystals that will form at time t for a large number of droplets, (3) the induction time distribution, and (4) the mean, most likely, and median induction times. These e

SUBMITTER: Goh L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2953805 | biostudies-literature | 2010 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature