Multistable Dynamical Network of Diffusively Coupled Chemical Oscillators

Coupled-oscillators networks are an important class of dynamical systems found in both the natural and engineered worlds. The spatio-temporal patterns exhibited by such networks depend heavily on inter-nodal interactions and topology. Using the Belousov-Zhabotinksy chemical reaction as our oscillator and a microfluidic chip to control topology, we examine the dynamics of a 4-ring network of inhibitor-coupled wells. While the network is small, it possesses multiple stable attractor states each possessing distinct dynamics. As such, it is a model system for understanding how to design controllers for complex systems with multiple fixed points. In this talk, experimental results will be compared to numerical models. Our goal is to create minimal models that predict the possible attractor states of the system and their basins of attraction in order to guide control schemes for switching between attractor states.