Patent ID: 7655470

Claim:
A method for manipulating a plurality of plugs comprising: introducing a first linear array of plugs of a first plug fluid into a microchannel within a microfluidic device at a first inlet with a first flow rate, wherein the plugs of the first plug fluid are separated from each other either by a first carrier fluid and/or by a spacer, and wherein the first carrier fluid and the spacer are substantially immiscible with the first plug fluid and with each other; introducing an aqueous stream into a second inlet adjacent to the first inlet and in fluid communication with the microchannel with a second flow rate such that a multi-component stream forms, the multi-component stream comprising a laminar flow of the first linear array of plugs and the aqueous stream; and introducing to the multi-component stream a stream of a second carrier fluid through a third inlet downstream of the first and second inlets with a third flow rate, the third inlet in fluid communication with the microchannel, such that a respective plug, or a portion thereof, of the first linear array of plugs combines with a portion of the aqueous stream to form a second linear array of plugs, wherein the second carrier fluid is substantially immiscible with the first plug fluid and the spacer.