A microfluidic chip has been coupled to a controlled environment vitrification system for artifact-free direct visualization of surfactant solutions using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. The ability of the microfluidic chip to access and to accurately dispense and mix fluids on a nanoliter scale makes rapid characterization of macromolecular conformations possible. Temperature equilibration is fast because of the very small volumes that are used. Chip design and operating conditions are manipulated to allow us to probe effects of shear, and controlled diffusive and convective transport rates on microstructure formation and evolution. Results from experiments using aqueous mixtures of cationic and anionic surfactants will be shown.

Extended Abstract Status: Not Uploaded