HORDE · Harnessing Ostwald Ripening for Dynamic Emulsions

Controlling the exchange of material between organs, cells and organelles is essential for all of the processes essential to life, such as signalling, metabolism and reproduction. Chemicals pass between compartments by diffusion, which is often assisted or rectified by biological machinery. A central goal of Systems Chemistry is to produce networks of discrete synthetic compartments that interact with the same complexity seen in life. Key to achieving this is the ability to control and regulate diffusion. The HORDE programme will harness Ostwald ripening as a tool that will enable controlled diffusion within emulsions. Ostwald ripening is the net directional diffusion of molecules from less to more stable states. In emulsions, this results in a spontaneous increase of average droplet size. This is thermodynamically favourable as it reduces the disfavoured liquid-liquid interface area. Ostwald ripening is generally seen as an unwanted process as it can lead to emulsion deterioration. However, when controlled, it will prove a powerful method for directing diffusion between compartments. HORDE will address this gap of knowledge by developing the novel methodology and insight that enables Ostwald ripening to be toggled and reversed. We will apply dynamic chemistries, switchable costabilisers and reversible polymerisation to control nanoemulsions.I will apply my unique expertise that spans supramolecular chemistry and polymer nanotechnology to develop nanoemulsions with droplets that shrink or grow on demand. We will then apply this technology to generate nonequilibrium states and direct the transfer of polymer sequence information between droplets. The HORDE programme will thus demonstrate the exceptional promise of controlled Ostwald ripening as a mechanism for developing complex networks of interacting compartments. This ERC Starting Grant will establish the Fielden group as world leaders in developing responsive nanoscale systems.