This review discusses methods for the design of reactors for studying reaction-diffusion (RD) phenomena.

Abstract

The experimental study of reaction–diffusion-driven chemical and biological systems is a key to understanding pattern formation in nature. Starting from experiments performed in a Petri dish or test tube, various reactors have been designed to explore the dynamics of fronts, waves, and stationary patterns. We focus on the cases where the underlying instabilities are driven by kinetics and diffusion, and the presence of fluid motion is avoided or plays a minor role. This review discusses the most commonly used reactor configurations, their intended purposes, and the associated drawbacks. The typical patterns observed in the different reactors are also exemplified. We highlight how the properties of the targeted patterns and the reaction networks influence the selection of the reactor design to be applied. The main characteristics of the reactors are the operation mode (batch or continuous), the type of medium in which the reaction–diffusion (RD) phenomenon develops, and the method of reactant supply (mixed or separated). Besides understanding the fundamental aspects of pattern formation, these reactors open a way to perform non-equilibrium synthesis and nonconventional computation, which is crucial in supramolecular chemistry.