Kinematical structural stability (Q321659)

This is a review paper focusing upon the results of the authors and others in the five years (2009 to 2014) on the title subject. The subject itself (``ki.s.s.'') refers to a class of non-conservative systems where there is no damping, but yet no potential energy exists. An example is an inverted multirod pendulum with a loading along the direction of the top-most rod. Such systems can exhibit paradoxical and non-intuitive behavior. The authors begin their overview with the inverted pendulum (``Ziegler System''). In their review, they introduce a new concept: ``the geometric degree of non-conservativity.'' They then provide a series of definitions enabling a clarification of features of ki.s.s. systems. They conclude with a listing of open problems. The paper is well-written, but it is very specialized. Nevertheless it should be of interest and use to theoreticians working with undamped, non-conservative mechanical systems.