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IAS DISTINGUISHED LECTURE
The Physics of Life and Evolution
Prof Adrian Bejan, J.A. Jones Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Duke University
Date : 16 Mar 2016 (Wednesday)
Time : 2:30 - 4:00 pm
Venue : IAS Lecture Theater, Lo Ka Chung Building, Lee Shau Kee Campus, HKUST
Co-sponsored by HKUST Energy Institute & Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, HKUST
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Abstract

In this lecture, the speaker will begin with drawing attention to the theoretical work that places the phenomenon of free evolution and life in physics, the biological and the geophysical realms together. He will then show that all evolutionary forms of flow organization are in accord with and can be predicted by the physics law that governs evolution in nature: the constructal law.

The speaker will focus on us humans, which are evolving freely as the "human & machine species". Evolution is visible and recorded in our lifetime. He will illustrate it with the evolution of commercial aircraft, the cooling of electronics, and modern athletics, a special laboratory for witnessing the evolution of animal locomotion. Physics explains and predicts natural flow organization and evolution.

This lecture is based on the speaker's forthcoming book: THE PHYSICS OF LIFE: The Evolution of Everything (Macmillian/St. Martins Press, New York, 2016).

 

About the speaker

Prof Adrian Bejan received his BS, MS and PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1971, 1972 and 1975 respectively. Between 1976 and 1978, he was a Fellow in the Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science at the University of California at Berkeley. He is currently J.A. Jones Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Duke University.

Prof Bejan's research covers a wide range of topics in applied physics, thermodynamics and the Constructal Law as the law of physics that governs organization and evolution in nature. He is the author of 28 books and over 600 peer-refereed journal articles. His h-index is 55 on the Web of Science. In 2001, he was ranked among the 100 most-cited authors in Engineering worldwide.

Prof Bejan received the highest international awards for thermal sciences, and is a member of the Academy of Europe and an honorary member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). He was awarded 18 honorary doctorates from universities in 11 countries.

For attendees’ attention

 

  The lecture is free and open to all. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.
     
  Light refreshments will be served from 4:00 to 4:30 pm.

 

 

HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study
Enquiries: ias@ust.hk / 2358 5912
http://ias.ust.hk

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