Shape and structure from engineering to nature Seemingly universal geometric forms unite the flow systems of engineering and nature. For example tree shaped flows can be seen in computers lungs dendritic crystals urban street patterns and communication links. In this groundbreaking book Adrian Bejan considers the design and optimization of engineered systems and discovers a deterministic principle of the generation of geometric form in natural systems. Shape and structure spring from the struggle for better performance in both engineering and nature. This idea is the basis of the new constructal theory: the objective and constraints principle used in engineering is the same mechanism from which the geometry in natural flow systems emerges. From heat exchangers to river channels the book draws many parallels between the engineered and the natural world. Among the topics covered are mechanical structure thermal structure heat trees ducts and rivers turbulent structure and structure in transportation and economics.