Nature and Design

About this book

Nature and Design provides a comprehensive introduction to the common scientific laws of both the natural and engineered worlds. As well as straightforward engineering design and biology, it also features mathematics, physics, chemistry, thermodynamics, biomimetics, medical engineering and history of science. The individual chapters are intended to be personal 'flashes' of illumination, combining authority, inspiration and state-of-the-art knowledge.

Contents

Chapter 1: What is Design?
Chapter 2: Mathematics in the Natural World
Chapter 3: The Laws of Thermodynamics - Cell Energy Transfer
Chapter 4: Robustness and Complexity
Chapter 5: D'Arcy Thompson - Nature and Design Through Growth and Form
Chapter 6: Design in Plants
Chapter 7: The Tree as an Engineering Structure
Chapter 8: The Homeostatic Model as a Tool for the Design and Analysis of Shell Structures
Chapter 9: Adaptive Growth
Chapter 10: Optical Reflectors and Antireflectors in Animals
Chapter 11: A Medical Engineering Project in the Field of Cardiac Assistance - A Lumped-Parameter Model of the Guldner Muscle-Powered Pump Trainer and its Use with a Ventricular Assist Device
Chapter 12: Leonardo da Vinci
Chapter 13: The Evolution of Land-Based Locomotion - The Relationship Between Forma and Aerodynamics for Animals and Vehicles with Particular Reference to Solar Powered Cars
Chapter 14: Creativity and Nature

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