Dynamic pattern formation in a vesicle-generating microfluidic device

Spatiotemporal pattern formation occurs in a variety of nonequilibrium phys ical and chemical systems. Here we show that a microfluidic device designed to produce reverse micelles can generate complex, ordered patterns as it i s continuously operated far from thermodynamic equilibrium. Flow in a micro fluidic system is usually simple-viscous effects dominate and the low Reyno lds number leads to laminar flow. Self-assembly of the vesicles into patter ns depends on channel geometry and relative fluid pressures. enabling the p roduction of motifs ranging from monodisperse droplets to helices and ribbo ns.