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Adaptive Chemical Networks under Non‐Equilibrium Conditions: The Evaporating Droplet
Author(s) -
Armao Joseph J.,
Lehn JeanMarie
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201606546
Subject(s) - chemical physics , drop (telecommunication) , molecule , chemistry , nanotechnology , dynamic equilibrium , fluorescence , chemical engineering , materials science , organic chemistry , optics , computer science , physics , telecommunications , engineering
Non‐volatile solutes in an evaporating drop experience an out‐of‐equilibrium state due to non‐linear concentration effects and complex flow patterns. Here, we demonstrate a small molecule chemical reaction network that undergoes a rapid adaptation response to the out‐of‐equilibrium conditions inside the droplet leading to control over the molecular constitution and spatial arrangement of the deposition pattern. Adaptation results in a pronounced coffee stain effect and coupling to chemical concentration gradients within the drop is demonstrated. Amplification and suppression of network species are readily identifiable with confocal fluorescence microscopy. We anticipate that these observations will contribute to the design and exploration of out‐of‐equilibrium chemical systems, as well as be useful towards the development of point‐of‐care medical diagnostics and controlled deposition of small molecules through inkjet printing.