Using chemical intuition often allows one to predict what might transpire on throwing a batch of chemicals into a beaker, but sometimes the unexpected can occur. Bruce C. Gibb discusses how you define an 'emergent phenomenon', recognizing that it's not a simple exercise and can actually be different for each of us.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Gibb, B. C. Nature Chem. 1, 17–18 (2009).
Gibb, B. C. Nature Chem. 1, 252–253 (2009).
Balazs, A. C. & Epstein, I. R. Science 325, 1632–1634 (2009).
Whitesides, G. M. & Ismagilov, R. F. Science 284, 89–92 (1999).
Sharma, K. R. & Noyes, R. M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 97, 202–204 (1975).
De Kepper, P., Epstein, I. R. & Kustin, K. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 103, 2133–2134 (1981).
De Kepper, P., Epstein, I. R. & Kustin, K. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 103, 6121–6127 (1981).
de Groot, S. R. & Mazur, P. Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics (Dover, 1984).
Sagúes, F. & Epstein, I. R. Dalton Trans. 7, 1201–1217 (2003).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gibb, B. The emergence of emergence. Nature Chem 3, 3–4 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.934
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.934