Discovery and Applications of Nonlinear Chemical Processes

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Nonlinear phenomena are everywhere in Nature, from ocean waves to magnetic materials, from the spread of disease to spiral waves in cardiac tissue, the study of chemical oscillators has made significant contributions to their understanding, which is of fundamental importance both from the theoretical and the applicative point of view. This program will develop and investigate novel photosensitive chemical oscillators that can interact with the growth of nanomaterials. We will exploit nonlinear chemical dynamics as an innovative tool to achieve shape- and facet-selective synthesis of micro/nanocrystals comprising various noble metals. The ability to control the morphology and surface energy of noble metal nanoparticles will lead to new or improved applications (e.g., in fuel cells, organic synthesis, chemical sensors, etc.). In addition to gaining insights into collective reaction behavior in complex media, the study will lead to new synergies between nonlinear science and nanoscience. It will also play an important role in bridging the gap in the knowledge between microscopic processes and macroscopic properties, such as how molecular level nonlinear dynamics can be exploited to tailor the bulk properties of materials. The proposed research on photoelectrochemical polymerization of quinones will lead to the development of an innovative green approach for detoxifying organic pollutants. The knowledge derived from such studies will also form the foundation necessary for the rational design of conductive polymer films, which are promising candidates for fabricating novel chemical sensors and inexpensive organic catalysts for environmentally friendly production of energy in fuel cells. In terms of fundamental studies, chemical oscillators coupled to the growth of nanomaterials will provide an invaluable playground for chemists, physicists, biologists and mathematicians to test new ideas and techniques in nonlinear dynamics.