journal article·2026-07Open access

Autonomous and Communicative Microcapsule Systems for Life‐Like Homeostatic pH Regulation

Hongda Zhou, James Smith, Rui Cheng, Ramzan Ullah, Huaiyuan Wang, Dmitry Shchukin

Small· Volume 22· Issue 37

Abstract

ABSTRACT Life sustains complex functions through intercellular communication networks that coordinate collective behavior and regulate environmental homeostasis. Replicating such dynamic and autonomous control over extended spatial and temporal domains in synthetic materials remains significant challenges. Here, we present a programmable dual‐microcapsule system that emulates life‐like homeostatic pH regulation via an antagonistic enzymatic network. The system integrates urease microcapsules (UMCs) and esterase microcapsules (EMCs), which were produced using microfluidic devices coupled with a surface co‐assembly strategy. By integrating hybrid junction geometry with a modified epoxy post‐coating strategy, the 3D‐printed microfluidic device overcomes intrinsic structural defects and surface irregularities. The resulting amphiphobic and defect‐free channels ensure stable droplet production and precise microsphere fabrication. Individual capsules display pH‐mediated negative feedback through adaptive shell permeability, whereas mixed populations display communicate behaviors via pH signaling to generate programmable pH oscillations and feedback‐controlled pH stabilization. This platform exhibits robust reaction to external pH control, long‐term cycling stability, and inter‐capsule interaction. This work offers a versatile route for engineering communicative, autonomous, and adaptive material systems, with broad implications for biomedical devices, environmental regulation, and soft control using chemical information exchange.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: 3D Printing in Biomedical Research · Hydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications · Supramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Chemical Engineering and Technology and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Low‐Carbon Technology Tianjin University Tianjin P. R. China

Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy University of Liverpool Liverpool UK

Gulliver CNRS UMR 7083 ESPCI Paris PSL Research University Paris France

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