Growth and reproduction of giant SALR clusters, with implications for their chemical evolution

Particles with SALR (short-range attraction and long-range repulsion) interactions are common to many physical systems, especially biological, colloidal and other soft matter systems, yet their behaviour is still not... [ view full abstract ]

Particles with SALR (short-range attraction and long-range repulsion) interactions are common to many physical systems, especially biological, colloidal and other soft matter systems, yet their behaviour is still not completely understood. Using Monte Carlo simulations, it is shown here that giant clusters can grow and reproduce in these fluids (see the Figure below). Growth and reproduction should therefore be common to a wide range of natural and synthetic systems under suitable conditions. If, in addition, cluster fitness selection can occur then chemical evolution of giant clusters in SALR fluids might be observed in suitable systems. Therefore, chemical evolution might be observable in many soft matter systems.