Dissipation + Utilization = Self-Organization
This article applies the thermocontextual interpretation (TCI) to open dissipative systems. TCI is a generalization of the conceptual frameworks underlying mechanics and thermodynamics. It defines exergy with respect to the positive-temperature surroundings as a property of state, and it defines the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Entropy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/25/2/229 |
| _version_ | 1811153827777216512 |
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| author | Harrison Crecraft |
| author_facet | Harrison Crecraft |
| author_sort | Harrison Crecraft |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article applies the thermocontextual interpretation (TCI) to open dissipative systems. TCI is a generalization of the conceptual frameworks underlying mechanics and thermodynamics. It defines exergy with respect to the positive-temperature surroundings as a property of state, and it defines the dissipation and utilization of exergy as functional properties of process. The Second Law of thermodynamics states that an isolated system maximizes its entropy (by dissipating and minimizing its exergy). TCI’s Postulate Four generalizes the Second Law for non-isolated systems. A non-isolated system minimizes its exergy, but it can do so either by dissipating exergy or utilizing it. A non-isolated dissipator can utilize exergy either by performing external work on the surroundings or by carrying out the internal work of sustaining other dissipators within a dissipative network. TCI defines a dissipative system’s efficiency by the ratio of exergy utilization to exergy input. TCI’s Postulate Five (MaxEff), introduced here, states that a system maximizes its efficiency to the extent allowed by the system’s kinetics and thermocontextual boundary constraints. Two paths of increasing efficiency lead to higher rates of growth and to higher functional complexity for dissipative networks. These are key features for the origin and evolution of life. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:52:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d48ab92b693f4318b57b8a01b358e8b0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1099-4300 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:52:15Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Entropy |
| spelling | doaj.art-d48ab92b693f4318b57b8a01b358e8b02023-11-16T20:22:36ZengMDPI AGEntropy1099-43002023-01-0125222910.3390/e25020229Dissipation + Utilization = Self-OrganizationHarrison Crecraft0GeoEx Analytics, Leesburg, VA 20176, USAThis article applies the thermocontextual interpretation (TCI) to open dissipative systems. TCI is a generalization of the conceptual frameworks underlying mechanics and thermodynamics. It defines exergy with respect to the positive-temperature surroundings as a property of state, and it defines the dissipation and utilization of exergy as functional properties of process. The Second Law of thermodynamics states that an isolated system maximizes its entropy (by dissipating and minimizing its exergy). TCI’s Postulate Four generalizes the Second Law for non-isolated systems. A non-isolated system minimizes its exergy, but it can do so either by dissipating exergy or utilizing it. A non-isolated dissipator can utilize exergy either by performing external work on the surroundings or by carrying out the internal work of sustaining other dissipators within a dissipative network. TCI defines a dissipative system’s efficiency by the ratio of exergy utilization to exergy input. TCI’s Postulate Five (MaxEff), introduced here, states that a system maximizes its efficiency to the extent allowed by the system’s kinetics and thermocontextual boundary constraints. Two paths of increasing efficiency lead to higher rates of growth and to higher functional complexity for dissipative networks. These are key features for the origin and evolution of life.https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/25/2/229dissipative systemsdissipative structuringevolutionnon-equilibrium thermodynamicsecosystemsorigin of life |
| spellingShingle | Harrison Crecraft Dissipation + Utilization = Self-Organization Entropy dissipative systems dissipative structuring evolution non-equilibrium thermodynamics ecosystems origin of life |
| title | Dissipation + Utilization = Self-Organization |
| title_full | Dissipation + Utilization = Self-Organization |
| title_fullStr | Dissipation + Utilization = Self-Organization |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dissipation + Utilization = Self-Organization |
| title_short | Dissipation + Utilization = Self-Organization |
| title_sort | dissipation utilization self organization |
| topic | dissipative systems dissipative structuring evolution non-equilibrium thermodynamics ecosystems origin of life |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/25/2/229 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT harrisoncrecraft dissipationutilizationselforganization |