Metamaterial Behavior and Dissipative Structures in Bistable Mechanical Systems

Bistable active media in a thermodynamically open dynamic system can lead to anomalous phenomena by providing an extra equilibrium stable state and the means to transition from one stable state to another given a sufficiently large perturbation. Specifically, we explore two such examples where the bistable phenomena lead to anomalous properties: negative compressibility characteristics in elastic metamaterials and a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity in doped barium titanate ceramics. The implication of bistable structures from the physical behavior is established. Furthermore we claim that bistable behavior is not inherent but rather induced or evolved given the right criterion, which we identify, and interaction with its environment. We examine the process of phase transition from one stable state to another, and the heat dissipation required to stabilize the system in the new phase.