Reversing the stability of fixed points to generate oscillations in electrochemical systems: Simulations and experiments

In the present work, we report the induction of rhythms in electrochemical systems. Limit cycle oscillations are provoked by reversing the stability of a previously stable fixed point on which the system’s dynamics were originally settled. Superimposing an appropriate perturbation term, sign of the local eigenvalues (real part) of the fixed point was changed. This alters the stability of the fixed point without varying its location. This protocol was tested both in a numerical model simulating electrochemical corrosion as well as an experimental electrochemical cell. Both numerical results and experimental observations indicate that, employing suitable perturbations, it is indeed possible to generate oscillatory behavior in nonlinear systems whose autonomous dynamics exhibit steady state behavior.