Switching Droplet Positions by Concentration Gradients

Citation:

Samuel Krüger, Christoph A. Weber, Jens-Uwe Sommer, and Frank Jülicher. Submitted. “Switching Droplet Positions by Concentration Gradients”.

Abstract:

Here we investigate how droplet position can be controlled using concentration profiles of a regulator that influences phase separation. We consider a mean field model of a ternary mixture where a concentration gradient of a regulator is imposed by an external potential. We show that novel first order phase transition exists that controls droplet position in a discontinuous manner. Such a droplet switch in concentration gradients could be relevant for the spatial organization of biological cells and provides a control mechanism for droplets in microfluidic systems.