Systems and methods for manufacturing quantum dot-doped polymer microbeads

Abstract

In a method and system for forming microbeads, a polymer solution includes particles and a polymer dissolved in a solvent. A stream of the polymer solution flows into a chamber. A focusing fluid contacts and focuses the polymer stream in the chamber. The focusing fluid and the focused polymer stream flow, as a single flow stream, out from the chamber. Pendant droplets detach from a leading end of the single flow stream to form the microbeads. The focusing fluid reacts with the polymer solution to form functional groups at a surface of the microbeads for binding with biorecognition molecules. In the system, a flow focusing apparatus includes a flow focusing body shaped to define the chamber. Microbeads formed according to the methods and systems are also disclosed.