Dissipative Systems

Causa e effetto invertiti, entropia e sintropia, ordine e disordine, origine e scopo. Agli occhi della scienza il Tempo rimane ancora un enigma. Dall’America alla Russia passando per l’Europa, i misteri più affascinanti della quarta dimensione.

‘In the depth of the human being there is probably a common source... for religious belief, cosmic observation, scientific analysis and aesthetic experience. And in this common framework is grounded a deep relationship between science, art and religion, through which the human creative power comes to full expression’
(Aharon Katzir-Katchalsky, In the Crucible of Scientific Revolution)

Die klassische Teilung der Wissenschaften in Natur- und Sozialwissenschaften ist bei komplexen Fragen wie beispielsweise der des Globalen Wandels kontraproduktiv und behindert ein gegenseitiges Verständnis über Disziplingrenzen hinweg. Mit dieser These als Ausgangspunkt eruiert der Beitrag, ob und inwiefern Systemtheorien zu einer interdisziplinären Anschlussfähigkeit beitragen können. In einem Vergleich der naturwissenschaftlichen Theorie dissipativer Strukturen von Ilya Prigogine mit der sozialwissenschaftlichen Theorie sozialer Systeme von Niklas Luhmann nehmen die Autorinnen Selbstorganisation, Autopoiesis und Selbstreferenz von natürlichen und sozialen Systemen in den Blick, die überraschende Überschneidungsbereiche zeigen. Unter der Frage nach den Mensch-Umwelt-Beziehungen – vor allem aus geographischer Perspektive – bedürften jedoch beide Theorieansätze einer Erweiterung: Die systemtheoretischen Humangeographie basierend auf Luhmanns Theorie sozialer Systeme müsste Materialität in den Blick bekommen und die Physiogeographie die innere Organisation natürlicher Phänomene verstärkt Beachtung finden.

This paper explores the connection between the second law of thermodynamics and the emergence and evolution of life on Earth. 60 years ago Schrodinger understood that the thermodynamically-open nature of living systems exempted them from the constraints imposed by the second law, but it was not clear why such systems should exist at all. Now we’re coming to realize that, not only are open systems ubiquitous, but they are likely, and perhaps even necessary. Some open systems are characterized as dissipative, and they emerge as the system they are embedded in attempts to return closer to thermodynamic equilibrium. The emergence of life itself is a response of the surrounding system to the thermodynamic imperative of the second law. The stability and efficiency of metabolic processes over evolutionary time, as well as properties of entire ecosystems emerged to counter the effects of energy gradients applied to them.

The creation of stable 1D and 2D localized modes in lossy nonlinear media is a fundamental problem in optics and plasmonics. This article gives a mini review of theoretical methods elaborated on for this purpose, using localized gain applied at one or several hot spots (HS). The introduction surveys a broad class of models for which this approach was developed. Other sections focus in some detail on basic 1D continuous and discrete systems, where the results can be obtained, partly or fully, in an analytical form (and verified by comparison with numerical results), which provides deeper insight into the nonlinear dynamics of optical beams in dissipative nonlinear media. Considered, in particular, are the single and double HS in the usual waveguide with the self-focusing (SF) or self-defocusing (SDF) Kerr nonlinearity, which gives rise to rather sophisticated results in spite of apparent simplicity of the model, solitons attached to a PT -symmetric dipole embedded into the SF or SDF medium, gap solitons pinned to an HS in a Bragg grating, and discrete solitons in a 1D lattice with a hot site.

In this paper, we review classical and recent results on the Lagrangian description of dissipative systems. After having recalled Rayleigh extension of Lagrangian formalism to equations of motion with dissipative forces, we describe Helmholtz conditions, which represent necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a Lagrangian function for a system of differential equations. These conditions are presented in different formalisms, some of them published in the last decades. In particular, we state the necessary and sufficient conditions in terms of multiplier factors, discussing the conditions for the existence of equivalent Lagrangians for the same system of differential equations. Some examples are discussed, to show the application of the techniques described in the theorems stated in this paper.

The 1st renaissance in polymer physics occurred with de Gennes, circa 1971-1979, introducing the reptation model of polymer dynamics.

The pre-de Gennes era established the concept of macromolecules (Staudinger), and de Gennes School developed the scaling concepts to adapt the statistical mechanics of the small molecules to the dynamics of the long macromolecular chains. This field has become a very sophisticated mathematical model, indeed, after 40 years of fruitful advances due to ramifications and improvements.

Yet, at the New School Polymer Physics, we maintain that we need to turn the page and start a new renaissance in polymer physics.  Do we need a clean slate? Do we need to start from scratch?

This blog post #36 of the New School Polymer Physics entitled “WHY THE NEED OF A NEW RENAISSANCE IN (POLYMER) PHYSICS” discusses some striking analogies between the dissipative structures studied by Ilya Prigogine (Nobel Laureate, 1977) and the open dissipative networks that are simulated in the Grain-Field Statistical model of polymer interactions proposed by J.P. Ibar, leading to a new understanding of entanglements.

Besides, although one will find in the literature convincing experimental evidence of success for the classical models, which is the reason for their acceptance, we claim that these successes are due to the use of conditions that bring the state of the polymer above its TLL transition…

Is TLL, the Boyer’s liquid-liquid transition discussed in blog post #35, the onset of dissipation at the center of the differences between the classical de Genne’s statistical approach and the new Grain-Field Statistical approach of polymer interactions?

CO2ZERO: Zero Emissions Reforming Operation comprises a portfolio of method and apparatus patents as well as a status-quo-disrupting methodology for addressing the myriad challenges of anthropogenic metabolism. A novel opportunistic platform for systems integration is disclosed.

New Urban Management discusses how the logic of economic flows poses a challenge to local governments throughout the world. The book argues that the increased fluidity in economic life must have its reflection in local economic development policy. The analysis begins with the idea of space of flows, but this goes much further than available literature in urban political analysis. The starting point is the observation that metropolitan governments' ability to maintain their economic vitality depends on their ability to attract flows of values through their assets. Such assets are, however, symbolic rather than physical, which implies the relevance of city branding. On that basis, this book builds a coherent picture of how flow analysis can be utilised in brand-oriented economic development policy.

This dissertation proposes a holistic method for investigating the city as a dynamic system at both macro and micro levels. Using the laws of thermodynamics, the concept of dissipative structures and the role of entropy an understanding of the repercussions of any given process within a city system can be gained. Applying these theories to the relationship between the city and nature is the basis upon which to challenge the preconception that urban nature is a characterisation of disorder and is therefore not desirable within the built environment.
The builders of medieval settlements harnessed nature’s benefits and lived within its means. This link has been lost and the contemporary city seeks to exclude and control nature in order to satisfy occupants’ desires. This dominance over nature necessitates the built environment to instil order over a system. The result is a pedigreed landscape where nature is:
-forced into ‘displays of submission’;
-exhibited at ‘orchestrated moments’;
-collected for ‘commodification’;
-and relegated to the ‘peripheral spaces’.

The ‘peripheral spaces’ are where nature thrives. The widely held perception is that urban nature is unruly and undesired. Without the influence of human desires and perceptions the input needed to sustain the built environment’s control over a system ceases and urban nature establishes and produces its own system. This is no less ordered than before, just a different type of order. The scale of flora in peripheral spaces varies from plants sprouting in pavement gaps through to multiple stages of ecological succession within abandoned spaces. There are a few studies which show that urban nature has this potential and its establishment is a full or partial desired outcome. These spaces produce built environments that start to reconnect the lost link between nature and the city.

The ability of the city to maintain dominance over nature is questionable. The resilience and spontaneity of nature means that given the opportunity it will establish itself and breakdown the built environment. By challenging the perceptions of nature within the built environment, designers can begin to design with nature resulting in environments that have a minimal impact on the systems that sustain them.

We live in a time, in which our historical experience lets us down and in which things happen, for which there are no models or examples in history.
...
Taylor has transformed humans into robots, and robots are about to overcome the taylor system.
...
The fear-envy syndrome is a sign of general disorientation of the dissolution of handed down ideas and perceptions. A human being does not understand its environment anymore and therefore starts to decline it instinctively.
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The aspect of complexitiy was almost completely neglected within the science of social systems and structures

16 slide presentation + 5 pages of reference material
CO2ZERO: Zero Emissions Reforming Operation
Executive Summary
- The technology niche
- The value proposition
- The competition
- The advantage
- Major breakthrough in industrial engineering
- - Dissipative Structures in nature
- - Complex Adaptive Systems methodology
- - Evolutionary leap forward for industrial sustainability
- Market analysis
- Select source material

In this paper, we review classical and recent results on the Lagrangian description of dissipative systems. After having recalled Rayleigh extension of Lagrangian formalism to equations of motion with dissipative forces, we describe Helmholtz conditions, which represent necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a Lagrangian function for a system of differential equations. These conditions are presented in different formalisms, some of them published in the last decades. In particular, we state the necessary and sufficient conditions in terms of multiplier factors, discussing the conditions for the existence of equivalent Lagrangians for the same system of differential equations. Some examples are discussed, to show the application of the techniques described in the theorems stated in this paper.

We propose a new method to handle the n-dimensional billiard problem in the exterior of a finite mutually disjoint union of convex (but not necessarily strictly convex) smooth obstacles without eclipse in the Euclidean or hyperbolic n-space, and we prove that there exist trajectories visiting the obstacles in any given doubly infinite prescribed order (with the obvious restriction of no consecutive repetition). As an interesting variant of planar billiards, we consider spinning obstacles and particles and prove that any forward sequence of obstacles has a trajectory that follows it.

The purpose of this study is to improve the performance of walls under out-of-plane loads especially when subjected to the hammering action of the floors. The idea behind the paper is to provide the masonry walls with a device that behaves like a buttress, without having to build a traditional buttress. The solution presented in this paper consists of a mechanical coupling between the three-dimensional net of steel ribbons of the CAM (Active Confinement of Masonry) system and the CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) strips. Since the steel ribbons of the CAM system have a pre-tension, the mechanical coupling allows the steel ribbons to establish a semi-rigid transverse link between the CFRP strips bonded on the two opposite sides of a wall. Therefore, two vertical CFRP strips tied by the steel ribbons behave like the flanges of an I-beam and the flexural strength of the ideal I-beam counteracts the out-of-plane displacements of the wall. The experimental results showed that the combined technique inherits the strong points of both constituent techniques. In fact, the delamination load is comparable to that of the specimens reinforced with the CFRP strips and the overall behavior is as ductile as for the specimens reinforced with the CAM system. They also inspired a more performing combined technique.

Relying on a certain degree of abstraction, we can propose that no particular distinction exists between animate or living matter and inanimate matter. While focusing attention on some specifics, the dividing line between the two can be drawn. The most apparent distinction is in the level of structural and functional organization with the dissimilar streams of ‘energy flow’ between the observed entity and the surrounding environment. In essence, living matter is created from inanimate matter which is organized to contain internal intense energy processes and maintain lower intensity energy exchange processes with the environment. Taking internal and external energy processes into account, we contend in this paper that living matter can be referred to as matter of dissipative structure, with this structure assumed to be a common quality of all living creatures and living matter in general. Interruption of internal energy conversion processes and terminating the controlled energy exchange with the environment leads to degeneration of dissipative structure and reduction of the same to inanimate matter, (gas, liquid and/or solid inanimate substances), and ultimately what can be called ‘death.’ This concept of what we call dissipative nature can be extended from living organisms to social groups of animals, to mankind. An analogy based on the organization of matter provides a basis for a functional model of living entities. The models relies on the parallels among the three central structures of any cell (nucleus, cytoplasm and outer membrane) and the human body (central organs, body fluids along with the connective tissues, and external skin integument). This three-part structural organization may be observed almost universally in nature. It can be observed from the atomic structure to the planetary and intergalactic organizations. This similarity is corroborated by the membrane theory applied to living organisms. According to the energy nature of living matter and the proposed functional model, the decreased integrity of a human body's external envelope membrane is a first cause of the structural degradation and aging of the entire organism. The aging process than progresses externally to internally, as in single cell organisms, suggesting that much of the efforts towards the restoration and maintenance of the mechanisms responsible for structural development should be focused accordingly, on the membrane, i.e., the skin. Numerous reports indicate that all parts of the human body, like: bones, blood with blood vessels, muscles, skin, and so on, have some ability for restoration. Therefore, actual revival of not only aging tissue of the human body's membrane, but the entire human body enclosed within, with all internal organs, might be expected. We assess several aging theories within the context of our model and provide suggestions on how to activate the body's own anti-aging mechanisms and increase longevity. This paper presents some analogies and some distinctions that exist between the living dissipative structure matter and inanimate matter, discusses the aging process and proposes certain aging reversal solutions.

We present evidence based theory for the emergence of plant structure in which CO 2 is not only the source of carbon for plant growth, but also plays a critical role as a source of charge (ionization), with charge density dictating plant structures at a wide range of scales. As levels of charge density increase beyond a critical point, dis-sipative systems lead to the emergence of macroscopic quantum processes analogous with high temperature super conductivity and coherent random lasing. The assembly of molecules into larger, ordered structures operates within charge-induced coherent bosonic fields acting as a structuring force in competition with exterior potentials. Within these processes many of the phenomena associated with standard quantum theory are recovered, including quantization, non-dissipation, self-organization, confinement , structuration conditioned by the environment, environmental fluctuations leading to macroscopic quantum decoherence and evolutionary time described by a time dependent Schrödinger-like equation, which describes models of bifurcation and duplication. The work provides a strong case for the existence of quintessence-like behaviour, with macroscopic quantum potentials and associated forces having their equivalence in standard quantum mechanics and gravitational forces in general relativity. The theory offers new insight into evolutionary processes in structural biology, with selection at any point in time, being made from a wide range of spontaneously emerging potential structures (dependent on conditions), which offer advantage for a specific organism. This is valid for both the emergence of structures from a prebiotic medium and the wide range of different plant structures we see today.