| This thesis examines a fundamentally new form of information processing, one inspired by the brain and materialized through electrochemistry. The study was concerned with the electrodissolution dynamics of nickel in sulfuric acid electrolyte, where the anodic current responds to three dimensional changes in the electrolyte and surface conditions, giving rise to a multitude of spatio-temporal patterns. We were able to observe distinct changes in the evolution of dynamics with particular perturbation, and relate these patterns as a cognitive response to the inputs provided to the system. The thesis also aimed at clarifying what is meant by information processing by drawing on formalization used in computer science and information theory. By exploring the emerging theoretical field of pattern formation in nonlinear dynamical systems, we have demonstrated how transient dynamics and attractors in physical systems have all the necessary components to realize the formalization of information processing.;Experimental work included studies on identification of control parameters, characterization of subsequent temporal patterns and examination of system response to information in form of oscillatory voltage perturbations. As part of this work, we developed the electronics, data acquisition hardware as well as the software necessary to acquire, control and process the data obtained from the system. Various data processing and pattern recognition techniques were then employed to look at the data coming from the electrode arrays, in order to attach meaning to the response from input information. One such method represents a new way of processing experimental data to look for real time phase synchrony between pairs of electrodes. As an extension, an application of recognition due to pattern formation from nonlinear dynamics in the vicinity of electrode in electrolyte has been proposed to design a novel multielectrode biosensor capable of simultaneous detection of multiple analytes. |
