Emergent Synchronous Volumetric Oscillation in Hierarchically Structured Self-Oscillating Gel Clusters

Emergent properties accompanying synchronization among oscillators are vital characteristics in biological systems. Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) oscillators are an artificial model to study the emergence and synchronization in life. This research represents a self-oscillating gel system with clusterable properties to experimentally examine synchronous and emergent properties at a fundamental hierarchical level. Incorporating acrylic acid (AAc) moieties within the gel network facilitates cluster formation through hydrogen bonding in an acidic BZ substrate solution. Upon clustering, both homogeneous and heterogeneous gel assemblies─ranging from double to quadruple clusters─exhibit increased and synchronized periods and amplitudes during the BZ reaction. Notably, in heterogeneous clusters, gel units with initially short periods and small volumetric amplitudes display a significant increase, aligning with the lonfger periods and larger amplitudes of other elements within the cluster, an emergent property. This research can pave the way for a better understanding of synchronous and emergent properties in biological oscillators such as cardiomyocytes.