Extended Data Fig. 6: Release of reconstituted reagents from an SCM with time delays.

A chamber of volume V_delay at the entrance of the vent adds a delay before a liquid leaves the SCM. a, Time series of images showing filling of the delay chamber while reconstituted amaranth diffuses. Reagents in area A, but not in area B, have additional time to reconstitute/diffuse while the rest of the SCM fills (t = 0 s). If needed, using a delay chamber gives additional time for the reconstitution/diffusion of the B reagents. Arrowheads mark the liquid filling front in the delay chamber. b, Effect of delay on the concentration profile of points A and B. Without any delay, point B disperses more than it does with a delay, and its profile is broader (n = 9; Q_in = 200 nl min⁻¹). c, Measured delay provided by different delay chambers. The dashed line is the identity line; error bars represent standard error of the mean; n = 6; Q_in = 200 nl min⁻¹.