Controlling complexity using forcing: simulations and experiments

We report the successful manipulation of non-linear dynamics using external forcing. In the case of temporal systems, a model system involving ordinary differential equations (ode's) was used for simulations. Experiments were carried out in a single anode electrochemical cell. Numerical and experimental results indicate that under the influence of external forcing, control of complexity and a change in periodicity of the autonomous dynamics can be achieved. A natural extension of this work involves analyzing the effects of global and local forcing on complex spatio-temporal behavior. A numerical model involving partial differential equations (pde's) was used for simulating the dynamics of this extended system. An electrochemical cell involving multiple anodes was used for the corresponding experiments. In simulations and in experiments, suppression of spatio-temporal complexity is observed for the two forcing (global and local) methods.