Rabih Sultan

Professor

Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

B.Sc., AUB (1979); M.Sc., AUB (1981); A.E.A. Université Paris VI (1983); Ph.D., Indiana University (1986).

Personal Web Page

Research

Chemical reactions couple to transport properties through a nonlinear dynamics that can yield complex spatio-temporal structures on both macroscopic and microscopic scales. Beautiful patterns are observed in convection fluids, flames, oscillating reactions, morphogenesis, precipitate systems... Propagation of waves of chemical activity characterize certain physiological processes such as nerve transmission and cardiac rhythmic function. We study such exotic phenomena in physico-chemical systems both theoretically and experimentally. We carry out experiments to explore new systems and new behavior, notably pattern formation in precipitate systems, and tree-like ramified structures in metal electrodeposition systems. The latter are studied from the viewpoint of fractal analysis. We also attempt to unravel the similarities between the geochemical self-organization (band and stripe formation in rocks) and the periodic precipitation observations (Liesegang banding). Finally, we try to interpret the observed behavior by modeling the reaction-diffusion/other transport equations that underlie the dynamics of those systems.

Selected Publications

• Patterns with High Rhythmicity Levels in Multiple-Salt Liesegang Systems, ChemPhysChem 2005, 6 (12), 2647-2653 (with M. Msharrafieh).
• Density, Fractal Angle and Fractal Dimension in Linear Zn Electrodeposition Morphology, J. Non-Eequilib. Thermodyn. 2005, 30, 321-336 (with R. Saab).
• Morphology, Particle Size Distribution and Composition in One- and Two-Salt Metal Oxinate Liesegang Patterns, J. Phys. Chem. B 2004, 108, 1507-1514 (with L. Manadalian, M. Fahs and M. Al-Ghoul).
• Density Oscillations in Precipitate Domains of a Propagating Cr(OH)3 Ring, Chem. Phys. Lett. 2003, 373, 183 (with N. Hilal).