Jerzy Maselko | University of Alaska Anchorage (original) (raw)

Papers by Jerzy Maselko

Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis Letters, Sep 1, 1990

Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Apr 22, 2008

Precise spatio-temporal organization of chemical, hydrodynamic, and mechanical processes is typic... more Precise spatio-temporal organization of chemical, hydrodynamic, and mechanical processes is typical for biological systems where particular chemical reactions have to accrue in precisely assignment place and time. It is rarely studied and observed in chemical systems. We report unusual precipitation pattern formation of PbSO 4 in chemical media (Pb 2+-Chlorite-Thiourea System). We have found that there is a region in a plane of initial concentrations of chlorite ions and thiourea where precipitation of lead sulfate appears in a form of ring if a pellet of lead nitrate is placed into the system. The whole process may be divided into three stages: movement of first circular front of lead containing solution, formation of a ringlike pattern of lead sulfate, and finally, propagation of this pattern resulting in a formation of ring with final inside diameter. Our experiments indicate that the following values are reproducible and quantify the PbSO 4 ring evolution: induction time, radius of the ring birth, speed of ring propagation toward the center, and final inside radius of the ring. Numerical solution of kinetic equations allowed us to give a qualitative explanation for the phenomenon observed. Formation and evolution of the PbSO 4 rings are caused by interplay of concentration gradients in the system and chemical reactions that occur in excitable chlorite-thiourea system. Chemical reactions and hydrodynamic processes form a complex causal network that made morphogenesis of this unusual pattern possible.

Journal of the Chemical Society, Faraday Transactions, 1998

ABSTRACT

Journal of Materials Science, Sep 1, 2005

Physical Review E, Apr 11, 2008

When soluble metal salts are placed in a silicate solution, chemical gardens grow. These gardens ... more When soluble metal salts are placed in a silicate solution, chemical gardens grow. These gardens are treelike structures formed of long, thin, hollow tubes. Here we study one particular case: a calcium nitrate pellet in a solution of sodium trisilicate. We observe that tube growth results from a relaxation oscillation. The average period and the average growth rate are approximately constant for most of the structures growth. The period does fluctuate from cycle to cycle, with the oscillation amplitude proportional to the period. Based on our observations, we develop a model of the relaxation oscillations which calculates the average oscillation period and the average tube radius in terms of fundamental membrane parameters. We also propose a model for the average tube growth rate. Predictions are made for future experiments.

Journal of Physical Chemistry C, Sep 15, 2007

We have experimentally investigated the phase diagram of spatiotemporal pattern formation in the ... more We have experimentally investigated the phase diagram of spatiotemporal pattern formation in the precipitation reaction of copper sulfate and sodium phosphate. The system exhibits an unusual variety of both vertically and horizontally growing structures. Quantitative measurements have been used to analyze the transition between the two patterns. The driving forces for the pattern formation have been identified as osmosis, buoyant forces, flow rate, and the mechanical properties of the membrane.

Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science, 1991

The transverse coupling of chemical waves is investigated using a model scheme for excitable medi... more The transverse coupling of chemical waves is investigated using a model scheme for excitable media. Chemical waves supported on the surfaces of a semipermeable membrane couple via diffusion through the membrane, resulting in new types of spatiotemporal behavior. The model studies show that spontaneous wave sources may develop from interacting planar waves, giving rise to a complex sequence of patterns accessible only by perturbation. Coupled circular waves result in the spontaneous formation of spiral waves, which subsequently develop patterns in distinct domains with characteristic features. The long time entrainment behavior of coupled spiral waves reveals regions of 1:2 phase locking.

Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology, 2013

Advances in Artificial Life, ECAL 2013, 2013

The subject of this conference is: 'Attempts to design and build artificial systems that display ... more The subject of this conference is: 'Attempts to design and build artificial systems that display properties of organisms'. Two hundred years ago, the philosopher Immanuel Kant wrote the following: 'Property of life: A self-propagating organization of processes.' The difference between biological organisms and the complex chemical systems made by humans cannot be underestimated. The former contain such a large number of physical and chemical processes, each marked by incredible spatial and temporal organization and preciseness, that as of yet, their artificial reproduction is unachievable. There remains, in addition, a gulf between biological growth and human controlled technology. These methods are not compatible. Human built complex chemical systems are assembled, whereas the biological systems are grown. Even the simplest biological cell cannot be disassembled and later reconstructed as if it were an AK-47. Few known phenomena show promise of bridging this gulf; one of these is the 'Chemical Garden'. In such systems, chemical reactions between a few elements drive fluid flow to spontaneously form precipitation structures. These structures can be grown from a 'seed`, and the specific structure produced closely correlates to the composition of the seed and the environment. Chemical gardens have growth trajectories that span a vast morphological space, which includes hierarchical structures and also structures that move (chemical motors). Among the first works devoted to these systems was published by Leduc in 1911 under the title "The Mechanism of Life" 1. Leduc recognized the similarity of chemical gardens with biological systems and believed that this similarity could teach us something about the origin of life. In his book, he wrote that "The study of synthetic biology is therefore the study of physical forces and conditions which can produce cavities surrounded by osmotic membranes… and specialized their functions of living beings." Examples of the structures that can be grown in this manner are presented below. Figure1: Examples of complex structures that grow in simple chemical systems.

The Journal of Chemical Physics, 2014

When a flowing fluid is channeled by chemical or physical precipitation, then tubular structures ... more When a flowing fluid is channeled by chemical or physical precipitation, then tubular structures form. These patterns are common in nature, however, there have been few quantitative studies of their formation. Here, we report measurements of the radius, length, and internal pressure, as functions of time and flow rate, for precipitation tubes growing in chemical gardens. Using these measurements we develop models for how single tubes grow and also for how multiple tubes interact with each other. In particular, when multiple tubes grow from the same source they compete for resources; short/wide tubes have less resistance to flow, and so consume more of the resources, "killing" the growth of long/narrow tubes. These tube interactions are described by an equation similar to an unstable logistic equation.

Journal of the Chemical Society, Faraday Transactions, 1996

ABSTRACT

The Journal of Physical Chemistry, 1995

A 2-dimensional array of coupled Brusselators cells is studied numerically. A variety of stationa... more A 2-dimensional array of coupled Brusselators cells is studied numerically. A variety of stationary patterns are obtained depending on the coupling strength of an activator and an inhibitor. Mosaic patterns of different motifs, in a very complicated spatial arrangement, are discovered. The mechanism that leads to the formation of the mosaic patterns consists of the formation of rings by an oscillatory chemical medium, the breaking of rings, and the interaction with the cellular chemical medium.

Journal of Systems Chemistry, 2015

Background Biological structures grow spontaneously from a seed, using materials supplied by the ... more Background Biological structures grow spontaneously from a seed, using materials supplied by the environment. These structures are hierarchical, with the ‘building blocks’ on each level constructed from those on the lower level. To understand and model the processes that occur on many levels, and later construct them, is a difficult task. However interest in this subject is growing. It is now possible to study the spontaneous growth of hierarchical structures in simple, two component chemical systems. Results Aluminum-silicate systems have been observed to grow into structures that are approximately conical. These structures are composed of multiple smaller cones with several hierarchical levels of complexity. On the highest level the system resembles a metropolis, with a horizontal resource distribution network connecting vertical, conical structures. The cones are made from many smaller cones that are connected together forming a whole with unusual behavior. The growth is observed...

Physics Letters A, 1987

Ina recent study Kim and Ostlund, motivated by an interest in frequency locking on a three-torus,... more Ina recent study Kim and Ostlund, motivated by an interest in frequency locking on a three-torus, constructed a Farey triangle to obtain rational approximants of pairs of irrational numbers that are mutually irrational. We find that their Farey triangle provides a natural compact description ofsequences ofperiodic states observed in our experiments on the Belousov-Zhabotinskii reaction.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 2008

Precise spatio-temporal organization of chemical, hydrodynamic, and mechanical processes is typic... more Precise spatio-temporal organization of chemical, hydrodynamic, and mechanical processes is typical for biological systems where particular chemical reactions have to accrue in precisely assignment place and time. It is rarely studied and observed in chemical systems. We report unusual precipitation pattern formation of PbSO 4 in chemical media (Pb 2+-Chlorite-Thiourea System). We have found that there is a region in a plane of initial concentrations of chlorite ions and thiourea where precipitation of lead sulfate appears in a form of ring if a pellet of lead nitrate is placed into the system. The whole process may be divided into three stages: movement of first circular front of lead containing solution, formation of a ringlike pattern of lead sulfate, and finally, propagation of this pattern resulting in a formation of ring with final inside diameter. Our experiments indicate that the following values are reproducible and quantify the PbSO 4 ring evolution: induction time, radius of the ring birth, speed of ring propagation toward the center, and final inside radius of the ring. Numerical solution of kinetic equations allowed us to give a qualitative explanation for the phenomenon observed. Formation and evolution of the PbSO 4 rings are caused by interplay of concentration gradients in the system and chemical reactions that occur in excitable chlorite-thiourea system. Chemical reactions and hydrodynamic processes form a complex causal network that made morphogenesis of this unusual pattern possible.

Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis Letters, 1980

In the citric acid-Mn2+−H2SO4−KBrO3 system a hysteresis phenomenon in the switching on and off of... more In the citric acid-Mn2+−H2SO4−KBrO3 system a hysteresis phenomenon in the switching on and off of the oscillations has been observed. The possible bifurcation diagrams of the system are discussed.

Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis Letters, 1990

Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis Letters, 1979

The general kinetic equation for two-component chemical systems is analyzed. It is shown that the... more The general kinetic equation for two-component chemical systems is analyzed. It is shown that the positions of steady states in concentration spaces can be detected by a qualitative analysis of the chemical mechanism.

Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis Letters, Sep 1, 1990

Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Apr 22, 2008

Precise spatio-temporal organization of chemical, hydrodynamic, and mechanical processes is typic... more Precise spatio-temporal organization of chemical, hydrodynamic, and mechanical processes is typical for biological systems where particular chemical reactions have to accrue in precisely assignment place and time. It is rarely studied and observed in chemical systems. We report unusual precipitation pattern formation of PbSO 4 in chemical media (Pb 2+-Chlorite-Thiourea System). We have found that there is a region in a plane of initial concentrations of chlorite ions and thiourea where precipitation of lead sulfate appears in a form of ring if a pellet of lead nitrate is placed into the system. The whole process may be divided into three stages: movement of first circular front of lead containing solution, formation of a ringlike pattern of lead sulfate, and finally, propagation of this pattern resulting in a formation of ring with final inside diameter. Our experiments indicate that the following values are reproducible and quantify the PbSO 4 ring evolution: induction time, radius of the ring birth, speed of ring propagation toward the center, and final inside radius of the ring. Numerical solution of kinetic equations allowed us to give a qualitative explanation for the phenomenon observed. Formation and evolution of the PbSO 4 rings are caused by interplay of concentration gradients in the system and chemical reactions that occur in excitable chlorite-thiourea system. Chemical reactions and hydrodynamic processes form a complex causal network that made morphogenesis of this unusual pattern possible.

Journal of the Chemical Society, Faraday Transactions, 1998

ABSTRACT

Journal of Materials Science, Sep 1, 2005

Physical Review E, Apr 11, 2008

When soluble metal salts are placed in a silicate solution, chemical gardens grow. These gardens ... more When soluble metal salts are placed in a silicate solution, chemical gardens grow. These gardens are treelike structures formed of long, thin, hollow tubes. Here we study one particular case: a calcium nitrate pellet in a solution of sodium trisilicate. We observe that tube growth results from a relaxation oscillation. The average period and the average growth rate are approximately constant for most of the structures growth. The period does fluctuate from cycle to cycle, with the oscillation amplitude proportional to the period. Based on our observations, we develop a model of the relaxation oscillations which calculates the average oscillation period and the average tube radius in terms of fundamental membrane parameters. We also propose a model for the average tube growth rate. Predictions are made for future experiments.

Journal of Physical Chemistry C, Sep 15, 2007

We have experimentally investigated the phase diagram of spatiotemporal pattern formation in the ... more We have experimentally investigated the phase diagram of spatiotemporal pattern formation in the precipitation reaction of copper sulfate and sodium phosphate. The system exhibits an unusual variety of both vertically and horizontally growing structures. Quantitative measurements have been used to analyze the transition between the two patterns. The driving forces for the pattern formation have been identified as osmosis, buoyant forces, flow rate, and the mechanical properties of the membrane.

Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science, 1991

The transverse coupling of chemical waves is investigated using a model scheme for excitable medi... more The transverse coupling of chemical waves is investigated using a model scheme for excitable media. Chemical waves supported on the surfaces of a semipermeable membrane couple via diffusion through the membrane, resulting in new types of spatiotemporal behavior. The model studies show that spontaneous wave sources may develop from interacting planar waves, giving rise to a complex sequence of patterns accessible only by perturbation. Coupled circular waves result in the spontaneous formation of spiral waves, which subsequently develop patterns in distinct domains with characteristic features. The long time entrainment behavior of coupled spiral waves reveals regions of 1:2 phase locking.

Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology, 2013

Advances in Artificial Life, ECAL 2013, 2013

The subject of this conference is: 'Attempts to design and build artificial systems that display ... more The subject of this conference is: 'Attempts to design and build artificial systems that display properties of organisms'. Two hundred years ago, the philosopher Immanuel Kant wrote the following: 'Property of life: A self-propagating organization of processes.' The difference between biological organisms and the complex chemical systems made by humans cannot be underestimated. The former contain such a large number of physical and chemical processes, each marked by incredible spatial and temporal organization and preciseness, that as of yet, their artificial reproduction is unachievable. There remains, in addition, a gulf between biological growth and human controlled technology. These methods are not compatible. Human built complex chemical systems are assembled, whereas the biological systems are grown. Even the simplest biological cell cannot be disassembled and later reconstructed as if it were an AK-47. Few known phenomena show promise of bridging this gulf; one of these is the 'Chemical Garden'. In such systems, chemical reactions between a few elements drive fluid flow to spontaneously form precipitation structures. These structures can be grown from a 'seed`, and the specific structure produced closely correlates to the composition of the seed and the environment. Chemical gardens have growth trajectories that span a vast morphological space, which includes hierarchical structures and also structures that move (chemical motors). Among the first works devoted to these systems was published by Leduc in 1911 under the title "The Mechanism of Life" 1. Leduc recognized the similarity of chemical gardens with biological systems and believed that this similarity could teach us something about the origin of life. In his book, he wrote that "The study of synthetic biology is therefore the study of physical forces and conditions which can produce cavities surrounded by osmotic membranes… and specialized their functions of living beings." Examples of the structures that can be grown in this manner are presented below. Figure1: Examples of complex structures that grow in simple chemical systems.

The Journal of Chemical Physics, 2014

When a flowing fluid is channeled by chemical or physical precipitation, then tubular structures ... more When a flowing fluid is channeled by chemical or physical precipitation, then tubular structures form. These patterns are common in nature, however, there have been few quantitative studies of their formation. Here, we report measurements of the radius, length, and internal pressure, as functions of time and flow rate, for precipitation tubes growing in chemical gardens. Using these measurements we develop models for how single tubes grow and also for how multiple tubes interact with each other. In particular, when multiple tubes grow from the same source they compete for resources; short/wide tubes have less resistance to flow, and so consume more of the resources, "killing" the growth of long/narrow tubes. These tube interactions are described by an equation similar to an unstable logistic equation.

Journal of the Chemical Society, Faraday Transactions, 1996

ABSTRACT

The Journal of Physical Chemistry, 1995

A 2-dimensional array of coupled Brusselators cells is studied numerically. A variety of stationa... more A 2-dimensional array of coupled Brusselators cells is studied numerically. A variety of stationary patterns are obtained depending on the coupling strength of an activator and an inhibitor. Mosaic patterns of different motifs, in a very complicated spatial arrangement, are discovered. The mechanism that leads to the formation of the mosaic patterns consists of the formation of rings by an oscillatory chemical medium, the breaking of rings, and the interaction with the cellular chemical medium.

Journal of Systems Chemistry, 2015

Background Biological structures grow spontaneously from a seed, using materials supplied by the ... more Background Biological structures grow spontaneously from a seed, using materials supplied by the environment. These structures are hierarchical, with the ‘building blocks’ on each level constructed from those on the lower level. To understand and model the processes that occur on many levels, and later construct them, is a difficult task. However interest in this subject is growing. It is now possible to study the spontaneous growth of hierarchical structures in simple, two component chemical systems. Results Aluminum-silicate systems have been observed to grow into structures that are approximately conical. These structures are composed of multiple smaller cones with several hierarchical levels of complexity. On the highest level the system resembles a metropolis, with a horizontal resource distribution network connecting vertical, conical structures. The cones are made from many smaller cones that are connected together forming a whole with unusual behavior. The growth is observed...

Physics Letters A, 1987

Ina recent study Kim and Ostlund, motivated by an interest in frequency locking on a three-torus,... more Ina recent study Kim and Ostlund, motivated by an interest in frequency locking on a three-torus, constructed a Farey triangle to obtain rational approximants of pairs of irrational numbers that are mutually irrational. We find that their Farey triangle provides a natural compact description ofsequences ofperiodic states observed in our experiments on the Belousov-Zhabotinskii reaction.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 2008

Precise spatio-temporal organization of chemical, hydrodynamic, and mechanical processes is typic... more Precise spatio-temporal organization of chemical, hydrodynamic, and mechanical processes is typical for biological systems where particular chemical reactions have to accrue in precisely assignment place and time. It is rarely studied and observed in chemical systems. We report unusual precipitation pattern formation of PbSO 4 in chemical media (Pb 2+-Chlorite-Thiourea System). We have found that there is a region in a plane of initial concentrations of chlorite ions and thiourea where precipitation of lead sulfate appears in a form of ring if a pellet of lead nitrate is placed into the system. The whole process may be divided into three stages: movement of first circular front of lead containing solution, formation of a ringlike pattern of lead sulfate, and finally, propagation of this pattern resulting in a formation of ring with final inside diameter. Our experiments indicate that the following values are reproducible and quantify the PbSO 4 ring evolution: induction time, radius of the ring birth, speed of ring propagation toward the center, and final inside radius of the ring. Numerical solution of kinetic equations allowed us to give a qualitative explanation for the phenomenon observed. Formation and evolution of the PbSO 4 rings are caused by interplay of concentration gradients in the system and chemical reactions that occur in excitable chlorite-thiourea system. Chemical reactions and hydrodynamic processes form a complex causal network that made morphogenesis of this unusual pattern possible.

Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis Letters, 1980

In the citric acid-Mn2+−H2SO4−KBrO3 system a hysteresis phenomenon in the switching on and off of... more In the citric acid-Mn2+−H2SO4−KBrO3 system a hysteresis phenomenon in the switching on and off of the oscillations has been observed. The possible bifurcation diagrams of the system are discussed.

Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis Letters, 1990

Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis Letters, 1979

The general kinetic equation for two-component chemical systems is analyzed. It is shown that the... more The general kinetic equation for two-component chemical systems is analyzed. It is shown that the positions of steady states in concentration spaces can be detected by a qualitative analysis of the chemical mechanism.