Coresistens

Coresistens is a term used primarily in theoretical discussions of system resilience to describe the resistance or stability of a system's core elements when faced with perturbations. The word is a portmanteau of core and resistance, and in practice has no single, universally accepted definition. In many sources it is presented as a descriptive quality rather than a fixed metric, with emphasis on the central components that sustain function under stress.

In materials science, coresistens refers to the intrinsic resistance of a material's core region to failure modes such as crack initiation, diffusion, or phase transformation under external loads. The concept highlights that the central portion of a layered or composite material can govern overall performance, often more than surface layers, especially under multi-axial stress. Measurement is typically qualitative or through simulations that isolate core-region responses.

In network theory and complex systems, coresistens denotes the ability of core nodes and their interconnections to preserve connectivity and function when peripheral nodes are removed or damaged. Researchers may assess it via perturbation experiments, percolation analysis, or core-periphery decomposition, reporting a coresistence score that reflects core stability relative to the rest of the network.

Because the term is not standardized, some authors treat coresistens as a synonym of resilience or robustness, while others distinguish it as specifically related to core structures. Critics argue that without agreed definitions or measurement methods, the concept risks ambiguity.

See also resilience, robustness, core-periphery model, network resilience.