Water in Biomechanical and Related Systems

The contributed volume emphasizes the role of water in (bio)systems exposed to a mechanical stimulus, highlighting its importance in feeding mammals and other organisms and supporting physiological and locomotive processes. Water content in biosystems is always subjected to a force field, and the scale problem of gravitational force and the millimeter or bigger force vs. distance scale is important. The capillarity conditions are of prior importance, and the porous-medium effect must be treated and solved in a fairly approximate way. The deeper the scale is penetrated by a force-exerting and hydrated agent, the more non-gravitational force fields manifest, and the phenomena of interest are mostly attributed to suitable changes of the osmotic pressure. In low Reynolds number conditions, the phenomena of interest are related to the corresponding viscosity changes of the aqueous solutions of semi-diluted and concentrated (but also electrolytic) characteristics. The content of the proposed work can be distributed twofold: first, the biomechanical mammalian-type systems with extraordinary relevance of water for their functioning will be presented, and second, the suitably chosen related systems, mainly of soil and plant addressing provenience, will be examined thoroughly. The monograph also focuses on biodiversity and ecological aspects in the world of animals and plants, and the related systems. The bioinspiration is the key landmark of the proposed monograph.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 334 pages
Publication date: 23 April 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The contributed volume emphasizes the crucial role of water in (bio)systems subjected to mechanical stimuli. It is widely recognized that water holds an exceptional significance in our lives, serving as a vital source of nourishment for mammals and other organisms by distributing its vast volume to support essential physiological and locomotive processes, such as friction-adhesion. Moreover, water plays a pivotal role in various biosystems, including soil-equipped with a microbiome and plant systems with their own natural network of water vessels. It is worth noting that these biosystems are constantly subjected to a force field, regardless of whether they are exposed to external or internal force-field conditions.

The decisive mechanical factor, which exhibits a close relationship with the space-and-time scale in which it triggers specific phenomena, emerges as a significant aspect. The scale problem, which highlights the range of action of gravitational force, particularly the millimeter or larger force versus distance scale, is considered a key aspect in the macroscale approach to water transportation through soil or plant roots systems. This problem is closely related to the percolation problem, which involves examining the random network architecture assigned to these biosystems.

Capillarity conditions hold paramount importance, and the porous-medium effect must be carefully addressed and approximated. As the force-exerting and hydrated agent penetrates deeper into the scale, the manifestation of non-gravitational force fields becomes more evident. This can be conceptualized in terms of corresponding thermodynamic (non-Newtonian) forces and the phenomena of interstitial fluid flow.

In conclusion, the contributed volume highlights the indispensable role of water in (bio)systems subjected to mechanical stimuli. It emphasizes the close relationship between the mechanical factor, the scale problem, and the capillarity conditions in determining the behavior and transport of water within these systems. Understanding these factors is crucial for advancing our knowledge of biological processes and environmental sustainability.

Weight: 528g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030672294
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021