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Spontaneous assembly of chemically encoded two-dimensional coacervate droplet arrays by acoustic wave patterning

Author

Listed:
  • Liangfei Tian

    (Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol)

  • Nicolas Martin

    (Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol)

  • Philip G. Bassindale

    (Faculty of Engineering, Queens Building, University of Bristol
    School of Physics, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol)

  • Avinash J. Patil

    (Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol)

  • Mei Li

    (Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol)

  • Adrian Barnes

    (School of Physics, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol)

  • Bruce W. Drinkwater

    (Faculty of Engineering, Queens Building, University of Bristol)

  • Stephen Mann

    (Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol)

Abstract

The spontaneous assembly of chemically encoded, molecularly crowded, water-rich micro-droplets into periodic defect-free two-dimensional arrays is achieved in aqueous media by a combination of an acoustic standing wave pressure field and in situ complex coacervation. Acoustically mediated coalescence of primary droplets generates single-droplet per node micro-arrays that exhibit variable surface-attachment properties, spontaneously uptake dyes, enzymes and particles, and display spatial and time-dependent fluorescence outputs when exposed to a reactant diffusion gradient. In addition, coacervate droplet arrays exhibiting dynamical behaviour and exchange of matter are prepared by inhibiting coalescence to produce acoustically trapped lattices of droplet clusters that display fast and reversible changes in shape and spatial configuration in direct response to modulations in the acoustic frequencies and fields. Our results offer a novel route to the design and construction of ‘water-in-water’ micro-droplet arrays with controllable spatial organization, programmable signalling pathways and higher order collective behaviour.

Suggested Citation

  • Liangfei Tian & Nicolas Martin & Philip G. Bassindale & Avinash J. Patil & Mei Li & Adrian Barnes & Bruce W. Drinkwater & Stephen Mann, 2016. "Spontaneous assembly of chemically encoded two-dimensional coacervate droplet arrays by acoustic wave patterning," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms13068
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13068
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiangxiang Zhang & Chao Li & Fukai Liu & Wei Mu & Yongshuo Ren & Boyu Yang & Xiaojun Han, 2022. "High-throughput production of functional prototissues capable of producing NO for vasodilation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.

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