Particle Patterns in Dissipative Systems

Particle patterns mean any spatially localized structures sustained by the balance between inflow and outflow of energy/material, which arise in the form of chemical blobs, discharge patterns, morphological spots, or binary convection cells. These are typically modeled by three-component reaction-diffusion systems or a couple of complex GL equations with a concentration field. They collide with each other, interact with defects and experience large deformation and/or basin-switching of dynamics in the form of merging, annihilation,ebound, and pinning to the defect created by heterogeneities. A new viewpoint based on a network of hidden saddles is presented to reveal the skeletal structure of those complex transient dynamics.