A system and method for visualization of fluid flow, includes a light emitting arrangement configured to emit a focused light, a fluid channel configured to hold a fluid including a carrier liquid and a stimuli responsive polymer, wherein the fluid flows though the fluid channel, and an image recording arrangement. The light emitting arrangement is positioned to emit the focused light into a selected area of the fluid channel to interact with the flowing stimuli responsive polymer within the selected area. This results in a phase change to a portion of the stimuli responsive polymer. The image recording arrangement is positioned to record an image the portion of the phase changed stimuli responsive polymer made visible by the phase change.