Microfluidics as a tool to control reaction diffusion processes
The self-organization of molecules into crystalline structures is crucial in nature, but the mechanisms underlying the formation of crystalline materials are largely unknown. Most studies have relied on adjusting molecular design and experimental conditions to control crystallization, with studies focusing on thermodynamic control leading to thermodynamic products. Nature can achieve non-equilibrium crystal forms by operating in out-of-equilibrium conditions. Therefore, there is a need to control the fluid dynamic behavior of reagents in artificial systems to understand the formation of complex self-assembled materials and control the hiking of crystalline matter on the free energy landscape. The laminar flow conditions in microfluidic systems enable unprecedented control over crystallization processes in space and time, allowing for the control of reagents mixing at the early stages of the crystallization process.
Keywords
Printing, Controlled patterning, Controlled surface chemistry.
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