Droplets Out of Equilibrium

摘要

Living systems create structures and functions of remarkable complexity by mastering self-assembly in different equilibrium and nonequilibrium states. Three states can be distinguished: equilibrium, non-dissipative nonequilibrium (or kinetically trapped), and dissipative (or dynamic) non-equilibrium. On page 253 of this issue, Tim-onen et al. (1) report on a model system in which all three states are accessible (see the figure) and show how this leads to a range of well-ordered structures.