Reaction-diffusion patterns in confined chemical systems

We review on the effects of the feed mode on pattern selection observed in chemical systems operated in open spatial reactors. In two-side-fed reactor s, strong parameter ramps naturally confine patterns in a stratum. The reac tor thickness acts both as a genuine bifurcation parameter and on the patte rn dimensionality. Depending on that thickness, standard 2D hexagon and str ipe Turing patterns or more complex 3D planforms are observed. In thin one- side-fed reactors, patterning process must escape the imposed fixed boundar y conditions either by devices introducing mixed boundary conditions or by an intrinsic phenomenon dubbed "spatial bistability." We show that in most cases, for a comprehensive understanding of experimental observations, the full 3D aspects have to be taken into account.