Confocal laser scanning microscope imaging of a pattern in shrinking gel

Pattern formation in a shrinking gel is studied using the confocal laser scanning microscope to reveal the time evolution of the spatial distribution of the polymer network in the gel. The polymer network is distributed uniformly in the gel at the early stage of bubble pattern formation. The distribution of the polymer network in the gel, however, rapidly changes with time. Finally, hollow bubbles are built up in the gel. This process occurs much faster than the cooperative diffusion of the gel.