Stability and instability of states

8. Subprogram (since )

Change, turning points, and upheavals are a constant part of our lives and affect nearly every aspect of daily life. They impact physical processes as well as major social trends. A stable state responds continuously to changes in its input variables. If the state is unstable, new transitional states emerge—which are themselves unstable—and eventually transition asymptotically or aperiodically into a new stable state. Sometimes the new state oscillates periodically or is even chaotic.

The phenomenon of transition from one stable state to another can be found in many fields of science. It is therefore a worthwhile goal to uncover the similarities and differences among these phenomena using various scientific approaches. In addition to exploring exciting questions within the respective disciplines, the WIN-Kolleg develops transdisciplinary insights on this topic—an approach not offered by any other research funding program and one that the Academy, in particular, needs as its scientific home.

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