Friday, March 30, 2012

Design in Nature: Constructal law of physics

Interesting idea, theory, "law of physics", and a book.

In short: same principle of "flow" applies to evolution of both natural and human made systems... called Constructal theory/law
Darwin's theory of evolution is "incomplete". Constructal theory makes it more complete.

A podcast interview with the author @ TechNation

Book @ Amazon


Design in Nature by Adrian Bejan and J. Peder Zane - Book - eBook - Random House
"In this groundbreaking book, Adrian Bejan takes the recurring patterns in nature—trees, tributaries, air passages, neural networks, and lightning bolts—and reveals how a single principle of physics, the Constructal Law, accounts for the evolution of these and all other designs in our world.


Everything—from biological life to inanimate systems—generates shape and structure and evolves in a sequence of ever-improving designs in order to facilitate flow. River basins, cardiovascular systems, and bolts of lightning are very efficient flow systems to move a current—of water, blood, or electricity. Likewise, the more complex architecture of animals evolve to cover greater distance per unit of useful energy, or increase their flow across the land. Such designs also appear in human organizations, like the hierarchical "flowcharts" or reporting structures in corporations and political bodies.

All are governed by the same principle, known as the Constructal Law, and configure and reconfigure themselves over time to flow more efficiently. Written in an easy style that achieves clarity without sacrificing complexity, Design in Nature is a paradigm-shifting book that will fundamentally transform our understanding of the world around us."