Control of the Self-Motion of a Ruthenium-Catalyzed Belousov–Zhabotinsky Droplet

Abstract

The spontaneous droplet motion of a Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction medium was previously reported; however, the attempts to control such motion have not been successful. In the present study, we first succeeded in controlling the direction of a droplet motion by using a photosensitive BZ reaction catalyzed by ruthenium complex under illumination with a spatial gradient. We were also able to stop the droplet motion using high-intensity light illumination. These results will help in the understanding of motion coupling with pattern formation.