In any scientific inquiry the question stands that begs answering: What is its utility?  Beyond pleasure derived from the aesthetic value of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction, there are analogues of this periodic phenomenon in living organisms: the heartbeat, circadian rhythms, the menstrual cycle, variations in hormone levels, and many others.  After all, these are all ultimately, like the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction, chemical in nature.  Therefore, by studying a reaction more amenable to our understanding, we get a window into understanding the more sophisticated and sublime chemistry that gives us life, we inch toward answering what Erwin Schrodinger called the fundamental question of science: who are we?

Acknowledgments

    First and foremost, I would like to express my appreciation to Paul Farnham.  Without his insightful guidance and laboratory acumen this project would never have materialized.  Naturally, David Arnold also deserves recognition for providing a class that allows students the freedom to pursue their interests -- such as this work -- and for his gentle admonishments, "don't forget the differential equations," that helped keep me losing myself in the chemistry.

References

    Aliev, Rubin.  Rubin's Home Page. Web site.

    Epstein, Irvine R.  "Patterns in Time and Space Generated by Chemistry."  Chemistry and Engineering News. March 30, 1987.  Pages 24-36.

    Scott, Stephen K.  Oscillations, Waves and Chaos in Chemical Kinetics.  First edition.  New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 1994.