Transport dynamics of solid–liquid composite droplets in minichannel flow for targeted drug delivery

This study explores the transport dynamics of solid–liquid composite droplets in Poiseuille flow within minichannels, aiming to enhance targeted drug delivery. Through experiments, we investigate how Reynolds number, viscosity ratio, and size ratio influence droplet migration, deformation, and stability. Higher Reynolds numbers amplify lateral migration and deformation, with fragmentation occurring at a deformation of 0.942. Lower viscosity ratios reduce deformation, enhancing droplet stability, while smaller size ratios decrease deformation but increase internal particle deflection, with high Reynolds numbers inducing periodic fluctuations due to internal vortices. These findings guide the design of stable composite droplet systems for precise drug delivery, microreactors, and food encapsulation.