Reactive organization of particles into macroscopic length scales by myelin growth

Abstract

Investigations of precipitation reactions in equilibrium self-assembled structures like vesicles, micelles, micro-emulsions, etc. is an active area of research, but grow-ing biological systems are not equilibrium systems. Here we propose the use of a well-characterized non-equilibrium system of myelins in AOT/water to carry out precipitation reaction of CaCO3. It is found that the micro-flow patterns generated by myelin growth organize the particles formed into a chain of length of over 300 microns and whose form and structure are responsive to concentration of reactants and stresses in the system. It is suggested that this type of study of reactions in dynamic, structure-forming systems can be used to mimic some aspects of embryonic stage bone growth.