Figure 2.

Schematic representation of (a) the microdroplet generation process using a microfluidic device; and (b) the microcapsule formation process from the initial droplet stage to the dehydrated stable capsules, where gold nanoparticles serve to direct the supramolecular self-assembly at the water/oil interface. (c) Brightfield micrographs of the isolated microcapsules. Laser scanning confocal microscope images of the microcapsules containing (d) FITC-dextran; and (e) Esherichia coli cells, respectively. Insets in (d) and (e) display the corresponding fluorescence intensity profiles (I = intensity; D = distance). Adapted with permission from ref (8). Copyright 2012 AAAS.