Cabinet of Living Patterns · Slide № 086

Reaction–Diffusion Skin

Model Gray–Scott · Grid 200 × 200
DA 1.00 · DB 0.50 · Δt 1.0
Status culturing
50 cells
Specimen
Coral morphogenesis
f 0.0545 · k 0.0620

Method

Two virtual chemicals, A and B, are diffused across a lattice each step. A is fed in at rate f; B is removed at rate k; where they meet, A + 2B → 3B. Nothing else. From this the sheet grows fingerprints, leopards and brain coral.

Handling

Drag across the slide to inoculate it with B. Drag on the parameter map to slide continuously between regimes — the border between spots and stripes is where the strangest tissue lives. Photograph saves the current frame as a PNG at native slide resolution.

Provenance

Pearson's 1993 taxonomy of Gray–Scott states gave these regimes their Greek letters. Here they are given lab names instead: Coral, Mitosis, Worms, Spots and Maze. The brass tag updates with whatever culture is currently on the stage.