title: Dynamic pattern formation in a vesicle-generating microfluidic device.
abstract: Spatiotemporal pattern formation occurs in a variety of nonequilibrium physical and chemical systems. Here we show that a microfluidic device designed to produce reverse micelles can generate complex, ordered patterns as it is continuously operated far from thermodynamic equilibrium. Flow in a microfluidic system is usually simple-viscous effects dominate and the low Reynolds number leads to laminar flow. Self-assembly of the vesicles into patterns depends on channel geometry and relative fluid pressures, enabling the production of motifs ranging from monodisperse droplets to helices and ribbons.
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thorsen
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Quake