https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-026-02461-1
Review
External field-driven active generation and in situ deformation of microscale droplets: mechanisms, dynamics, and recent advances
Hebei Engineering Laboratory of Photoelectronic Functional Crystals, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China
a
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Received:
30
March
2026
Accepted:
12
June
2026
Published online:
1
July
2026
Abstract
The precise generation of microdroplets serves as a cornerstone of microfluidic technologies employed in biochemical analysis, drug delivery, and materials synthesis. In comparison to passive generation methods that rely on channel geometry and flow rate ratios, active manipulation techniques based on external physical fields—such as electric, magnetic, thermal, and acoustic fields—offer powerful tools for on-demand droplet generation, dynamic deformation, and real-time regulation. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the externally field-driven active generation of microdroplets, along with their deformation behaviors. The physical mechanisms, experimental setups, and regulatory principles of droplet generation under DC/AC electric fields, magnetic fields, thermal fields, and surface acoustic waves are discussed in detail, highlighting the advantages and limitations of each method in controlling droplet size, generation frequency, and monodispersity. The in situ dynamics of polarization and deformation droplets under electric fields are examined, which include static elongation, oscillation, and Taylor cone jetting phenomena. This examination reveals the decisive influence of electric field parameters and interfacial properties on droplet deformation. Future perspectives on synergistic strategies that integrate multiple physical fields and device design are outlined, along with their potential applications in high-throughput screening, single-cell manipulation, and intelligent microreactors.
Copyright comment Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
Shihang Ji and Yifei Wang are co-first authors.
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
