Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets
Published on: August 13, 2016
Transient hexagonal structures in sheared emulsions of isotropic inclusions on smectic bubbles in microgravity
P V Dolganov1, N S Shuravin1, V K Dolganov2
1Institute of Solid State Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISSP RAS), 142432, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, Russia.
Abstract:
We describe the collective behavior of isotropic droplets dispersed over a spherical smectic bubble, observed under microgravity conditions on the International Space Station (ISS). We find that droplets can form two-dimensional hexagonal structures changing with time. Our analysis indicates the possibility of spatial and temporal periodicity of such structures of droplets. Quantitative analysis of the hexagonal structure including the first three coordination circles was performed. A peculiar periodic-in-time ordering of the droplets, related to one-dimensional motion of droplets with non-uniform velocity, was found.
Related Concept Videos
Fluid Mosaic Model
Imperfections in Crystal Structure: Point, Line and Plane Defects
Micelles

