Self-propulsion via non-transitive phase coexistence in chemically active mixtures

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Qiang, Yicheng, Luo, Chengjie, Zwicker, David
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Qiang, Yicheng
Luo, Chengjie
Zwicker, David
author_facet Qiang, Yicheng
Luo, Chengjie
Zwicker, David
contents Phase separation drives the formation of biomolecular condensates in cells, which comprise many components and sometimes possess multiple phases. The equilibrium physics of phase separation is well understood, but many components in condensates undergo active reactions. We demonstrate that such reactions affect phase separation by altering the chemical potential balance and by introducing an osmotic pressure difference at interfaces. However, the system does not permit a pseudo-pressure balance, and bulk compositions depend on which phases are in contact. Moreover, phase coexistence is no longer transitive, which enables self-propelled phases and more complex dynamics.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_09816
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Self-propulsion via non-transitive phase coexistence in chemically active mixtures
Qiang, Yicheng
Luo, Chengjie
Zwicker, David
Soft Condensed Matter
Phase separation drives the formation of biomolecular condensates in cells, which comprise many components and sometimes possess multiple phases. The equilibrium physics of phase separation is well understood, but many components in condensates undergo active reactions. We demonstrate that such reactions affect phase separation by altering the chemical potential balance and by introducing an osmotic pressure difference at interfaces. However, the system does not permit a pseudo-pressure balance, and bulk compositions depend on which phases are in contact. Moreover, phase coexistence is no longer transitive, which enables self-propelled phases and more complex dynamics.
title Self-propulsion via non-transitive phase coexistence in chemically active mixtures
topic Soft Condensed Matter
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.09816