Replication systems can be compartmentalized in a single phase fluid simply by means of the scaling law of diffusion with distance: templates traverse by diffusion the gap between two replication domains in mean in times proportional to the square of the separation distance. Concepts for increased isolation of template replication centres in microfluidic systems using for artificial compartmentation are shown in the left figure.
a) two laminar flows in parallel
b) opposing flows
c) three laminar flows; the separating flow (green arrow) creates a tuneable diffusive connection between the two outer channels (chambers): if the flow here is fast there is no interchange along the horizontal channel.
d) two flows in parallel separated by a semi permeable membrane (e.g. hydrogel)