Computational modalities of Belousov-Zhabotinsky encapsulated vesicles

We present both simulated and partial empirical evidences for the computational utility of many connected vesicle analogues of an encapsulated nonlinear chemical processing medium. By connecting small vesicles containing a solution of sub-excitable Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction, sustained and propagating wave fragments are modulated by both spatial geometry, network connectivity and their interaction with other waves. The processing ability is demonstrated through the creation of simple Boolean logic gates and then by the combination of those gates to create more complex circuits. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd