Patterns, Oscillations, and Microtornadoes: Extreme Events in Vapor-to-particle Reaction Zones

We report on a new set of topochemically organized, nanoparticulate experimental systems in which vapor diffuses and convects to form spatially defined reaction zones. In these zones, a complex sequence of catalyzed proton-transfer, nucleation, growth, aggregation, hydration, charging processes, and turbulence produce rings, tubes, spirals, pulsing crystals, oscillating fronts and patterns such as Liesegang rings. We call these beautiful 3-dimensional structures “microtornadoes”, “microstalagtites”, and “microhurricanes”, We synthesize a proposed mechanism for the chemical reactions and propose ways in which mathematical modeling of the patterns can inform studies of the nature of these extreme events.