Pattern formation of bulk-surface reaction-diffusion systems in a ball (Q6868552)

This paper investigates pattern formation in \(n\)-component bulk-surface reaction-diffusion systems in a 3D ball, assuming linear bulk kinetics and Robin-type boundary conditions. The authors perform linear, weakly nonlinear, and numerical analysis to the systems, extending the earlier work by \textit{F. Paquin-Lefebvre} et al. [SIAM J. Appl. Dyn. Syst. 18, No. 3, 1334--1390 (2019; Zbl 1428.37071)] on a 2D disk.\N\NLinear analysis establishes conditions for instabilities of transcritical or pitchfork bifurcation, depending on the parity of the spatial wavenumber. Weakly nonlinear analysis derives general amplitude equations under \(O(3)\) symmetry, and provides expressions for normal form coefficients that determine the stability of bifurcating patterns, using modified spherical Bessel functions and Legendre polynomials. The theoretical findings are illustrated through two examples: a bulk-surface Brusselator and a four-component cell-polarity model. Numerical simulations via a bulk-surface finite element method confirm the predicted stability and symmetry of emerging patterns (e.g., spots and stripes) corresponding to specific spherical harmonics. Additionally, seven supplementary materials are provided.\N\NThis work advances understanding of coupled bulk-surface dynamics, offering a general framework for understanding symmetry-breaking bifurcations in coupled bulk-surface geometries. A valuable contribution to applied mathematics, it bridges theory and numerics, with implications for biological and physical pattern-forming processes.