Matrix arrangement of three-dimensional sheath flow for multiple component nanofibers

Multiple core-sheath flow was realized using matrix arrangement of 3D sheath flows. The sheath flow was hydrodynamically formed in a flow shift area which has symmetrical microgrooves on channel walls. Vertical and horizontal alignments of the sample streams are a key element of matrix configuration. The flow shift areas were connected in parallel to achieve horizontal alignment of the sheath flow. The cascade connection of the flow shift areas is used for vertical alignment of the sheath flow. In order to achieve matrix arrangement of core-sheath flow, combination of the parallel and cascade connections was utilized. In this work, the horizontal and vertical configurations of the 2-sample sheath flow were demonstrated. Two streams of the vertically aligned 2-sample sheath flow were joined horizontally, and, as a result, 4-sample core-sheath flow of matrix configuration was obtained successfully.