Induction of chemical waves by mechanical stimulation in elastic Belousov–Zhabotinsky media

We report a mechanical induction of chemical waves in elastic Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) media where catalyst ferroin is loaded on a cation-exchange membrane (Nafion). When the membrane was pressed with a hemispherical tip of a glass stick, a circular chemical wave was induced at the pressed area. The mechanism of the induction of chemical waves changed steeply depending on the tip force. These results imply the realization of transducers from mechanical stimuli into chemical signals through autocatalytic chemical reaction.