Microfluidic studies of carbon dioxide-mediated extraction and phase separation in switchable solvents

该提案利用了加拿大发现的具有可转换特性的新型溶剂，以及开发环境友好、成本低、劳动力和节能的液体混合物分离的专业知识。对于Switchable Solutions， Inc （SSI）来说，该项目具有直接的重要性，该公司专门从事具有可切换特性的定制溶剂的设计和操作。

This proposal exploits a Canadian discovery of the new class of solvents with switchable properties and expertise in developing environmentally benign and cost-, labour- and energy-efficient separation of liquid mixtures. The proposed project is of immediate importance to Switchable Solutions, Inc (SSI) that specialize in the design and operation of customized solvents with switchable properties. The project will focus on the development of the microfluidic strategy for fundamental and applied exploration of switchable solvents that are used for the separation of mixtures of aqueous and organic liquids. The separation process occurs due to a reversible change in liquid properties, that is, ionic strength and hydrophilicity, by chemically capturing and releasing carbon dioxide. In the proposed project, the characterization of extraction and phase separation processes in liquid mixtures will be carried out in a continuous mode by using imaging of the liquid phases and will be supported by theoretical modeling. The proposed microfluidic platform will be used to gain fundamental knowldge about the properties of switchable solvents, for rapid, high-throughput optimization of existing formulations, and for the development of new products, which will target a particular application of switchable solvents.