Sound choreographs chaotic reactions
Bass tones create reproducible patterns in unpredictable out-of-equilibrium systems
By doing reactions on speakers pumping out bass frequencies, researchers in South Korea have brought molecules that normally react unpredictably under their control. Kimoon Kim from Pohang University of Science and Technology and colleagues explored reactions involving dyes that change colour in air, leading to regular and reproducible patterns. ‘This is the first study to show that it is possible to control and visualise chemical reactions using audible sound,’ claims Kim.