Maximum Power Principle

The maximum power principle has been proposed as the fourth principle of energetics in open system thermodynamics, where an example of an open system is a biological cell. According to Howard T. Odum (H.T.Odum 1995, p. 311), "The maximum power principle can be stated: During self-organization, system designs develop and prevail that maximize power intake, energy transformation, and those uses that reinforce production and efficiency."

Read more about Maximum Power Principle:  History, Philosophy and Theory, Proposals For Maximum Power Principle As 4th Thermodynamic Law, Definition in Words, Contemporary Ideas

Famous quotes containing the words maximum, power and/or principle:

    Probably the only place where a man can feel really secure is in a maximum security prison, except for the imminent threat of release.
    Germaine Greer (b. 1939)

    Power corrupts ... when the weak band together in order to ruin the strong, but not before. The will to power ... far from being a characteristic of the strong, is, like envy and greed, among the vices of the weak, and possibly even their most dangerous one.
    Hannah Arendt (1906–1975)

    I often wish for the end of the wretched remnant of my life; and that wish is a rational one; but then the innate principle of self-preservation, wisely implanted in our natures, for obvious purposes, opposes that wish, and makes us endeavour to spin out our thread as long as we can, however decayed and rotten it may be.
    Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773)