In animate thermodynamics, Donald Mikulecky (1936-) or Don Mikulecky, is an American physiologist noted for a number of publications in which he attempts to extend and synthesize the network thermodynamics theories of Israeli chemist Aharon Katchalsky, which he describes as a marriage of classical thermodynamics and nonequilibrium thermodynamics along with network theory, and kinetics, together with American theoretical biologist Robert Rosen’s relational biology models, and complexity theory, so to explain biological phenomena. [1]
American ecologist Eric Schneider states that his discussions with Mikulecky were one of the inspirations for his “nature abhors a gradient” or gradient reduction interpretation of the second law of thermodynamics. [2]
Education
Mikulecky completed his PhD in 1963 in physiology, with a thesis on “Phospholipid-cholesterol Membrane Model. I. Correlation of Resistance and Ion Content. II. Cation Exchange Properties. III. Effect of Ca on Salt Permeability”, at the University of Chicago. [3]
References
1. Mikulecky, Donald C. (2001). “Network Thermodynamics and Complexity: A Transition to Relational Systems Theory” (abs), Computers and Chemistry, 25(4):369-91.
2. Schneider, Eric D. and Sagan, Dorion. (2005). Into the Cool - Energy Flow, Thermodynamics, and Life (pg. 77). Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
3. Mikulecky, Donald C. (1963). “Phospholipid-cholesterol Membrane Model. I. Correlation of Resistance and Ion Content. II. Cation Exchange Properties. III. Effect of Ca on Salt Permeability” (abs) PhD thesis, University of Chicago, Dept. of Physiologist.
Further reading
● Mikulecky, Donald C. (1984). “Network Thermodynamics: A Simulation and Modeling Method Based on the Extension of Thermodynamic Thinking into the Realm of Highly Organized Systems” (abs), Mathematical Biosciences. 72(2):157-79.
● Mikulecky, Donald C. (1993). Applications of Network Thermodynamics Problems in Biomedical Engineering (abs). New York University Press.
External links
● Don Mikulecky (faculty) – VCU.edu.
● Don Mikulecky (Complexity Discussion group) – Complexity.VCU.edu.
● Mikulecky, Donald C. (1936-) – WorldCat Identities.
