NEGATIVE DIFFUSION AND CLUSTERING OF GROWING PARTICLES

The existence of a thermodynamic jet force that moves growing (decaying) particles down (up) the gradient in solute concentration is predicted. As a result the solute disappears faster in the regions where its concentration is decreased and the uniform state of particle space distribution turns out to be unstable. The instability leads to particle clustering and direct coalescence. The clusters form an almost periodic structure and each cluster contains many particles.