Membrane Structure Drives Synchronization Patterns in Arrays of Diffusively Coupled Self-Oscillating Droplets.

Area of Science:

• Chemical Oscillations
• Biomimetic Systems
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Diffusively coupled oscillators in confined environments are crucial for understanding signal-regulated dynamics.
• Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reactions are well-studied chemical oscillators often used to explore complex dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the synchronization patterns of diffusively coupled BZ oscillators within microfluidic emulsions.
• To explore how modulating biomimetic membrane properties with dopants affects oscillator synchronization.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a microfluidic device to encapsulate arrays of diffusively coupled BZ oscillators in water-in-oil emulsions.
• Introducing dopants into phospholipid-based biomimetic membranes to alter structural (lamellarity, permeability) and chemical properties.
• Observing and analyzing emergent synchronization patterns.

Main Results:

• Synchronization patterns were induced and controlled by modifying membrane properties via dopants.
• Decreasing membrane lamellarity induced a transition from 1:2 period-locking to antiphase synchronization.
• Dopants interfering with chemical messengers led to unsynchronized behavior.

Conclusions:

• Biomimetic membrane properties can be tuned to control complex synchronization dynamics in coupled chemical oscillators.
• This study demonstrates a method for externally controlling emergent behaviors in microscale chemical systems.
• The findings have implications for designing responsive micro- and nano-scale systems.