Oscillatory dynamics of an electrically driven dissipative structure

Abstract

Physical systems open to a flow of energy can exhibit spontaneous symmetry breaking and self-organization. These nonequilibrium self-organized systems are known as dissipative structures. We study the oscillatory mode of an electrically driven dissipative structure. Our system consists of aluminum beads in shallow oil, which, when subjected to a high voltage, self-organize into connected ‘tree’ structures. The tree structures serve as pathways for the conduction of charge to ground. This system shows a variety of spatio-temporal behaviors, such as oscillating movement of the tree structures. Utilizing a dynamical systems model of the electromagnetic phenomena, we explore a potential mechanism underlying the system’s behavior and use the model to make additional empirical predictions. The model reproduces the oscillatory behavior observed in the real system, and the behavior of the real system is consistent with predictions from the model under various constraints. From the empirical results and the mathematical model, we observe a tendency for the system to select modes of behavior with increased dissipation, or higher rates of entropy production, in accord with the proposed Maximum Entropy Production (MEP) Principle.

Dissipative Structures, Organisms and Evolution

“…Function within dissipative structures is intrinsic, identifiable in their end-directed time evolution. Some dissipative structures (expanded on below) exhibit morphological and behavioral changes that drive the system to states of greater entropy production [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. In our electrical dissipative structure, this manifests in an ‘energy-seeking’ behavior where tree-like structures of conducting spheres move through their environment, directed by electrical gradients, to regions of higher concentration of charges.…”

“…We have studied two dissipative structures, an electrical and a chemical system, which we classify as self-organized foraging implementations (SOFIs). Our electrical system (E-SOFI) produces an array of life-like properties, including foraging [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 31 ]), end-directed behavior [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 31 ], structure maintenance and self-healing [ 25 , 26 , 27 ], and even functional coordination [ 30 , 32 , 41 ]. The chemical system (C-SOFI) demonstrates flocking behavior [ 33 , 34 ] sensitivity to external thermal and magnetic fields [ 33 ], and collective navigation of environments [ 34 ].…”

“…This intrinsic end-directedness manifests in the trees’ foraging activities, and in the repair of trees subject to perturbation. Trees move through the dish to collect charges that build up on the surface of the oil [ 31 ] while the current flowing through them creates the forces that maintain their structure. The trees thus forage, much like organisms, by moving through their environment to collect the energetic resources that keep them intact.…”

“…In line with a number of theorists [ 14 , 17 , 28 , 29 ], we hold that living systems are a subset of the class of dissipative structures, and that their origin, behaviors, and evolution are critically related to their thermodynamic properties. Recently, we have demonstrated life-like behaviors in an electrical dissipative structure [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 30 , 31 , 32 ] and a chemical dissipative structure [ 33 , 34 ]. These Bio-analogue dissipative structures (BDS) provide a compelling scientific context in which physics and the life sciences inform one another to develop explanations.…”

Functional Interdependence in Coupled Dissipative Structures: Physical Foundations of Biological Coordination

“…The system employed in the current study is a variation of a self-organizing electrical system reported in previous works [ 19 , 21 , 31 , 32 ]. The system consists of metal beads in shallow oil subject to a high electrical voltage.…”