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Microfluidic compartmentalization of diffusively coupled oscillators in multisomes induces a novel synchronization
Marcello A Budroni1, Kristian Torbensen2, Ottorino L Pantani3
1Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, Sassari 07100, Italy.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|September 23, 2020
Summary
Engineered stable multisomes with the Belousov-Zhabotinsky chemical oscillator were organized in microfluidic networks. This resulted in global synchronization, with all oscillators pulsing in phase at half their natural period.
Area of Science:
- Chemical kinetics
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Chemical oscillators like the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction exhibit complex dynamics.
- Controlling and synchronizing chemical oscillators in confined environments is challenging.
- Multisomes offer a promising platform for compartmentalizing and organizing chemical systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer stable, cell-like multisomes encapsulating the Belousov-Zhabotinsky chemical oscillator.
- To organize these multisomes into a linear network of diffusively-coupled oscillators using microfluidics.
- To investigate the emergent synchronization phenomena in such engineered networks.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of stable multisomes capable of encapsulating the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction.
- Assembly of multisomes into a linear microfluidic network to enable diffusive coupling.
- Observation and analysis of the oscillatory behavior and synchronization patterns.
Main Results:
- Successfully engineered stable, cell-like multisomes containing the Belousov-Zhabotinsky oscillator.
- Organized these multisomes into a linear, diffusively-coupled microfluidic network.
- Observed a novel global synchronization scenario where all oscillators pulsed in phase with a halved period after an induction interval.
Conclusions:
- Multi-compartmentalization and spatial organization of chemical oscillators can lead to emergent collective behaviors.
- Engineered microfluidic networks of chemical oscillators demonstrate tunable synchronization properties.
- This work provides a foundation for creating complex, functional chemical systems with predictable dynamics.
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