Continuous-time multifarious systems -- Part II: non-reciprocal multifarious self-organization

TL;DR

This paper investigates non-reciprocal multifarious self-organization in self-assembly systems, analyzing timescales and mechanisms through continuous-time simulations and analytical calculations, advancing understanding of shape-shifting processes.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of non-reciprocal self-organization using continuous-time simulations and develops analytical models for key timescales, enhancing understanding of shape-shifting dynamics.

Findings

Continuous-time simulations align with discrete-time results.

Nucleation time and interface velocity are key to shape-shifting.

Analytical models accurately predict timescales.

Abstract

In the context of self-assembly, where complex structures can be assembled from smaller units, it is desirable to devise strategies towards disassembly and reassembly processes that reuse the constituent parts. A non-reciprocal multifarious self-organization strategy has been recently introduced, and shown to have the capacity to exhibit this complex property. In this work, we study the model using continuous-time Gillespie simulations, and compare the results against discrete-time Monte Carlo simulations investigated previously. Furthermore, using the continuous-time simulations we explore important features in our system, namely, the nucleation time and interface growth velocity, which comprise the timescale of shape-shifting. We develop analytical calculations for the associated timescales and compare the results to those measured in simulations, allowing us to pin down the key mechanisms behind the observed timescales at different parameter values.