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Keywords = chemoton

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12 pages, 813 KiB  
Review
Autocatalytic Networks at the Basis of Life’s Origin and Organization
by Wim Hordijk and Mike Steel
Life 2018, 8(4), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/life8040062 - 8 Dec 2018
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 7384
Abstract
Life is more than the sum of its constituent molecules. Living systems depend on a particular chemical organization, i.e., the ways in which their constituent molecules interact and cooperate with each other through catalyzed chemical reactions. Several abstract models of minimal life, based [...] Read more.
Life is more than the sum of its constituent molecules. Living systems depend on a particular chemical organization, i.e., the ways in which their constituent molecules interact and cooperate with each other through catalyzed chemical reactions. Several abstract models of minimal life, based on this idea of chemical organization and also in the context of the origin of life, were developed independently in the 1960s and 1970s. These models include hypercycles, chemotons, autopoietic systems, (M,R)-systems, and autocatalytic sets. We briefly compare these various models, and then focus more specifically on the concept of autocatalytic sets and their mathematical formalization, RAF theory. We argue that autocatalytic sets are a necessary (although not sufficient) condition for life-like behavior. We then elaborate on the suggestion that simple inorganic molecules like metals and minerals may have been the earliest catalysts in the formation of prebiotic autocatalytic sets, and how RAF theory may also be applied to systems beyond chemistry, such as ecology, economics, and cognition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systems Protobiology: Origin of Life by Mutually Catalytic Networks)
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35 pages, 10324 KiB  
Review
Geometry Design, Principles and Assembly of Micromotors
by Huanpo Ning, Yan Zhang, Hong Zhu, Andreas Ingham, Gaoshan Huang, Yongfeng Mei and Alexander A. Solovev
Micromachines 2018, 9(2), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9020075 - 11 Feb 2018
Cited by 55 | Viewed by 11570
Abstract
Discovery of bio-inspired, self-propelled and externally-powered nano-/micro-motors, rotors and engines (micromachines) is considered a potentially revolutionary paradigm in nanoscience. Nature knows how to combine different elements together in a fluidic state for intelligent design of nano-/micro-machines, which operate by pumping, stirring, and diffusion [...] Read more.
Discovery of bio-inspired, self-propelled and externally-powered nano-/micro-motors, rotors and engines (micromachines) is considered a potentially revolutionary paradigm in nanoscience. Nature knows how to combine different elements together in a fluidic state for intelligent design of nano-/micro-machines, which operate by pumping, stirring, and diffusion of their internal components. Taking inspirations from nature, scientists endeavor to develop the best materials, geometries, and conditions for self-propelled motion, and to better understand their mechanisms of motion and interactions. Today, microfluidic technology offers considerable advantages for the next generation of biomimetic particles, droplets and capsules. This review summarizes recent achievements in the field of nano-/micromotors, and methods of their external control and collective behaviors, which may stimulate new ideas for a broad range of applications. Full article
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