Porous and complex flow structures in modern technologies / Adrian Bejan. .. [et al.]. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index.

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Constructal theory is the view that the generation of flow configuration is a physics phenomenon that can be based on a physics principle (the constructal law): “For a finite-size flow system to persist in time (to survive) its configuration must evolve in such a way that it provides an easier access to the currents that flow through it” [A. Bejan, Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics, 2nd ed. (Wiley, New York, 1997); Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 40, 799 (1997)]. This principle predicts natural configuration across the board: river basins, turbulence, animal design (allometry, vascularization, locomotion), cracks in solids, dendritic solidification, Earth climate, droplet impact configuration, etc. The same principle yields new designs for electronics, fuel cells, and tree networks for transport of people, goods, and information. This review describes a paradigm that is universally applicable in natural sciences, engineering and social sciences.

This is a review of the theoretical and applied progress made based on the Constructal law of design and evolution in nature, with emphasis on the last decade. The Constructal law is the law of physics that accounts for the natural tendency of all flow systems (animate and inanimate) to change into configurations that offer progressively greater flow access over time. The progress made with the Constructal law covers the broadest range of science, from heat and fluid flow and geophysics, to animal design, technology evolution, and social organization (economics, government). This review presents the state of this fast growing field, and draws attention to newly opened directions for original research. The Constructal law places the concepts of life, design, and evolution in physics.

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