Tip splitting without interfacial tension and dendritic growth patterns arising from molecular anisotropy

Two growth mechanisms of considerable recent interest are related to a single statistical mehanical model. Tip splitting without interfacial tension occurs when a fluid pushes into another miscible fluid of higher viscosity. Dendritic growth occurs when anisotropic molecules aggregate - a common example is the snowflake. It is found that both structures are fractal objects, and can be obtained from a single statistical mechanical model, implying that there is a relation between the underlying physical processes involved.