stöðlun

Stöðlun is an Icelandic term used to describe the process of making something stable or steady, typically by reducing variability or fluctuations. It refers to mechanisms that dampen changes and maintain constant conditions, or to the resulting state of stability.

In engineering and physics, stöðlun describes damping or feedback control that keeps systems at a desired operating point. Examples include stabilizing a vehicle’s motion, maintaining an aircraft’s attitude, suppressing vibrations in machinery, and achieving voltage or frequency stabilization in electrical systems through regulators and control loops such as PID controllers.

In chemistry and biology, stöðlun may refer to buffering or stabilizing chemical reactions and solutions to maintain constant pH or composition, as well as stabilizing biological samples or preserved materials to prevent degradation over time.

In economic and policy contexts, stöðlun denotes stabilization measures aimed at reducing volatility in prices, exchange rates, or overall economic activity. The term is used across disciplines, with the specific techniques and goals varying by field, but the common aim is to limit fluctuations and sustain a steady state.