Droplet interface bilayers (DIBs) mimic the cell membrane and provide a model membrane platform for studying basic biophysical processes. This paper demonstrates a pressure-driven microfluidic system for the rapid and automated generation of alternating DIB networks, each comprised of four aqueous nanoliter droplets. The microfluidic device features five inlets, one for the continuous oil phase and four independent aqueous channels for T-junction droplet generation. Droplet production rates are controlled by adjusting the applied pressure of each inlet; therefore, controlling the pattern of droplets produced in the main channel and further stored in a downstream hydrodynamic trapping array. Each trap is designed to capture and hold in place one row of four droplets, forming three interfacial lipid bilayers per network. The potential for greater combinations of droplets in a network enables an increased complexity necessary for performing parallel multiplexed biological assays. We further examined flow behavior in response to changes in resistance of the microfluidic device when using a pressure driven source. This microfluidic system provides a high-throughput method for generating DIB networks of complex droplet patterning.

液滴界面双层 (DIB) 模拟细胞膜，并提供用于研究基本生物物理过程的模型膜平台。本文展示了一种压力驱动的微流体系统，用于快速和自动生成交替 DIB 网络，每个网络由四个纳升水滴组成。微流体装置具有五个入口，一个用于连续油相，四个独立的水通道用于生成 T 形接头液滴。通过调整每个入口的施加压力来控制液滴产生率；因此，控制在主通道中产生并进一步储存在下游水动力捕集阵列中的液滴模式。每个陷阱旨在捕获并固定一行四个液滴，每个网络形成三个界面脂质双层。网络中更多液滴组合的潜力增加了执行平行多重生物测定所需的复杂性。我们进一步检查了在使用压力驱动源时响应微流体装置阻力变化的流动行为。这种微流体系统为生成复杂液滴图案的 DIB 网络提供了一种高通量方法。