Eur. Phys. J. Special Topics 165, 161-167 (2008)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2008-00859-7

Collective behavior of particle-like chemical waves

West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506-6045, USA

Abstract

Stabilized waves in weakly excitable media propagate with constant velocity and can be directionally controlled with applied excitability gradients. Multiple waves with directional control governed by pairwise interaction potentials form cohesive groups. Processional modes arise in collections of waves with random initial conditions, in which spontaneous alignment plays an essential role. Rotational modes occur with special initial conditions, and highly complex orbits are exhibited in larger groups. The ordered behavior is associated with waves following paths of minimum potential.