Synchronization of Two Self-Oscillating Gels Based on Chemo-Mechanical Coupling.

Two coupled polymer gels, showing volume oscillation caused by the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction, were investigated to understand the system composed of mechanically coupled chemical oscillators. The two gels were connected with a movable plastic sheet in between and placed under constant compression. Synchronization between two identical gels occurred in a range of compression ratios.

Response of a chemical wave to local pulse irradiation in the ruthenium-catalyzed Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction.

The photo-sensitive Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction system was investigated to understand the response of wave propagation to local pulse stimulation in an excitable field. When the chemical wave was irradiated with a bright pulse or a dark pulse, the speed of wave propagation decreased or increased. The timing of pulse irradiation that significantly affected the speed of chemical wave propagation was different with the bright and dark pulses.

Chemical wave propagation preserved on an inhibitory field in the ruthenium-catalyzed Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction.

The propagation of a chemical wave on an inhibitory field, which was wedged between two excitable fields, was investigated for the photosensitive Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction. With an increase in the width of the inhibitory field between the excitable fields (W), the chemical wave divided into two waves at W = Wα. The divided chemical waves then coalesced at W = Wβ with a decrease in W.