Scholars@Duke
Adrian Bejan

Adrian Bejan

J.A. Jones Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
abejan@duke.edu
148A Engineering Bldg, Box 90300, Durham, NC 27708-0300
148A Engineering Bldg, Box 90300, Durham, NC 27708

Awards & Honors

Kimberly-Clark Distinguished Lectureship Award 2023.

International International Society for Porous Media. · 2023 Porous materials are usually thought of as amorphous mixtures of two or more things, solids, fluids, and voids. The research field started that way, and so did my own activity in it. Along the way, I was drawn to the part of nature (the physics) that was missing from the amorphous view: the structure, flow, configuration, drawing (design), purpose, and evolution. The lecture is pictorial. It begins with defining the terms, because words have meaning: vascular, design, evolution, and prediction (theory). Next, the lecture shows that vascular (tree shaped) architectures flow more easily than parallel channels with only one length scale (the wall to wall spacing). Transport across channels is facilitated when the spacing is such that the channel flow length matches the entrance (developing) length of the flow. The tendency to evolve with freedom toward flow configurations that provide greater access is universal in nature, bio, and non-bio. This tendency is the Constructal Law, which empowers us to predict the evolution toward flow access, miniaturization, high density of heat transfer, and the scaling up (or down) of an existing design. Multiscale vasculatures occur naturally because they flow more easily than their counterparts with a few length scales. The future of evolutionary design everywhere points toward vascular, hierarchical flow architectures that will continue to morph with freedom and directionality. More about this award

Honorary Member

International Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA) · December 2020

Prize in Basic and Engineering Sciences

International Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA) · December 2020 "for his work in one of the most basic fields of engineering, thermodynamics, for an extraordinary record of creative work, including the unification of thermodynamics and heat transfer; the conceptual development of design as a science that unites all fields; and development of the “constructal law”.

The paper “Discipline in Thermodynamics” made the cover of the journal “Energies”

International Energies, MDPI · June 2020

Knight of the French Order of Academic Palms, Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques

International French Republic · February 2020

Humboldt Research Award

International Humboldt Foundation · June 2019 “For pioneering contributions in modern thermodynamics. He discovered the Constructal Law—a law of physics that predicts natural design and its evolution in biology, geophysics, climate change, technology, social organization, evolutionary design and development, wealth and sustainability.”

Corresponding Member

International Academy of Engineering of Mexico · September 2018

Benjamin Franklin Medal

International The Franklin Institute · April 19, 2018 “For his pioneering interdisciplinary contributions in thermodynamics and convection heat transfer that have improved the performance of engineering systems, and for constructal theory, which predicts natural design and its evolution in engineering, scientific, and social systems.” More about this award

Corresponding Member

International Mexican Academy of Sciences · September 2017

Ralph Coats Roe Medal

National American Society of Mechanical Engineers · 2017 For permanent contributions to the public appreciation of the pivotal role of engineering in an advanced society through outstanding accomplishments as an engineering scientist and educator, renowned communicator and prolific writer

Doctor of Engineering honoris causa

International University of Pretoria, South Africa · 2015 Graduation speaker.

Visiting Chair Professor of Engineering Science under the Distinguished Chair Professor Scheme

International Hong Kong Polytechnic University · 2015 2015-present

Docteur Honoris Causa

International Institut National des Sciences Appliquées, Lyon, France · 2014

Member

International Academy of Europe · 2013

Honorary Member

International Romanian Academy · 2011

Honorary Member

National American Society of Mechanical Engineers · 2011

Professor Catedrático Convidado

International University of Évora, Portugal · 2009 2009-present

Doctor Honoris Causa

International University of Rome I, La Sapienza, Rome, Italy · 2009

Donald Q. Kern

International American Institute of Chemical Engineers · 2008 For seminal contributions to heat exchange design based on two original methods: entropy generation minimization, and constructal theory.

Fluid Science Research Award

International Tohoku University, Japan · 2008

Extraordinary Professor

International University of Pretoria, South Africa · 2007 2007-present

James P. Hartnett Memorial Award

International International Center of Heat and Mass Transfer · 2007

Luikov Medal

International International Center of Heat and Mass Transfer · 2006

Doctor Honoris Causa

International Technical University of Varna, Bulgaria · 2006

Doctor Honoris Causa

International Technical University of Gabrovo, Bulgaria · 2004

Edward F. Obert Award

International American Society of Mechanical Engineers · 2004

Honorary Member

International Academy of Technical Sciences of Romania · 2004

Doctor Honoris Causa

International University of Évora, Portugal · 2003 For outstanding contributions to the progress of knowledge in the field of engineering, namely for the development of Constructal Theory, which provides a groundbreaking method that enlightens the generation of shape and structure in both engineering and nature.

Doctor of Science Honoris Causa

International ETH - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland · 2003 For outstanding originality, challenges to conventional thinking, impact on modern thermal sciences, and for his pivotal role as promoter of constructal theory, entropy generation minimization, and European scientific culture.

Distinguished Lecturer

International American Society of Mechanical Engineers · 2002 For 2002-2005.

Highly Cited Researcher

National Thomson Reuters · 2001

Honorary Member

International Academy of Sciences of Moldova · 2001

Doctor Honoris Causa

International Technical University of Moldova, Chisinau, Moldova · 2001

Charles Russ Richards Memorial Award

National American Society of Mechanical Engineers · 2001 For outstanding achievement in mechanical engineering by an engineer twenty years or more following graduation.

Docteur Honoris Causa

International Université Henri Poincaré, Nancy, France · 2001 Leader scientifique mondial des domaines Energétique-Thermique et Méchanique des fluides. Promoteur de l'Analyse Entropique et de la Théorie Constructale. Profondément attaché aux valeurs humanistes et à la culture européenne.

Doctor Honoris Causa

International Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil · 2001

Ralph Coats Roe Award

National American Society of Engineering Education · 2000

Honorary Doctor of Science

International Azerbaijan Technical University, Baku, Azerbaijan · 2000

Max Jakob Memorial Award

International American Institute of Chemical Engineers & American Society of Mechanical Engineers · 1999 For highly imaginative and inspiring ideas in the thermal science and design of engineering and nature.

Robert Henry Thurston Lecture

International American Society of Mechanical Engineers · 1999 Shape and Structure in Engineering and Nature: Constructal Theory.

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (honoris causa)

International University of Durban-Westville, South Africa · 1999 Graduation speaker

Doctor Honoris Causa

International Odessa State Academy of Refrigeration, Odessa, Ukraine · 1999

Doctor Honoris Causa

International Technical University of Civil Engineering, Bucharest, Romania · 1999

Doctor Honoris Causa

International Gh. Asachi Technical University, Iasi, Romania · 1998

TEPCO Endowed Chair

International Keio University, Yokohama, Japan · 1998

Doctor Honoris Causa

International Ovidius University, Constanta, Romania · 1997

The Legacy of Adrian Bejan: Three Generations of Brazilian Scientists

International Pontificial Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil · 1997 International Symposium

Worcester Reed Warner Medal

International American Society of Mechanical Engineers · 1996 For originality, challenges to orthodoxy, and impact on thermodynamics and heat transfer, which were made through his first three books: Entropy Generation through Heat and Fluid Flow (1982), Convection Heat Transfer (1984), and Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics (1988).

Honorary Citizen

International City of Galati, Romania · 1996

Doctor Honoris Causa

International University of the Lower Danube, Galati, Romania · 1995

Heat Transfer Memorial Award

International American Society of Mechanical Engineers · 1994 For significant and often unconventional contributions to heat transfer, notably in natural convection, thermodynamic aspects of heat transfer, convection in porous media, thermal tribology, solar energy conversion, cryogenics, and transition to turbulence; and for bringing modern research results and methods into heat transfer education.

Doctor Honoris Causa

International Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Romania · 1992

James Harry Potter Gold Medal

International American Society of Mechanical Engineers · 1990 For original and unorthodox ideas, journal articles, textbooks, graphics and lectures demonstrating that engineering thermodynamics is an active and often controversial field of research, and for encouraging others to invest their creativity in the future of the field.

J.A. Jones Chair

National Duke University · 1989

Gustus L. Larson Memorial Award

International American Society of Mechanical Engineers · 1988 For demonstrated outstanding achievement in mechanical engineering within ten to twenty years following graduation.

Fellow

International American Society of Mechanical Engineers · 1987

Croft Professorship

National University of Colorado, Boulder · 1981

Miller Fellow

International University of California, Berkeley · 1976

Honors Course

Department Massachusetts Institute of Technology · 1970 1970-1972

De Florez Award for Ingenuity in Engineering Design

Department Massachusetts Institute of Technology · 1969

In the News

Published October 10, 2023
Animals’ Rhythm as a Design Element in Robotics
Published May 23, 2023
Why Perfection Is the Enemy of Evolution
Published February 14, 2023
Spring Books from Duke Authors from Wittgenstein to Capoeira
Published January 28, 2021
The Physics Behind Tumor Growth
Published December 1, 2020
December Books: Adrian Bejan: "Freedom and Evolution: Hierarchy in Nature, Society and Science"
Published February 17, 2020
French Ambassador to Visit Duke, Discuss State of Europe, Feb. 20
Published March 22, 2019
It's Spring Already? Physics Explains Why Time Flies as We Age
Published August 27, 2018
In the Race of Life, the Tortoise Beats the Hare Every Time
Published April 16, 2018
Adrian Bejan to Receive 2018 Benjamin Franklin Medal
Published November 7, 2017
Bejan Named 2018 Franklin Institute Award Laureate
Published September 20, 2017
Bejan Wins 2017 Ralph Coats Roe Medal
Published July 21, 2016
Campfires, explained
Published May 31, 2016
Adrian Bejan: What's the meaning of life? Physics
Published May 2, 2016
Adrian Bejan: You can use physics to describe almost anything in life
Published March 2, 2016
Why do stars and planets come in different sizes? Adrian Bejan claims our universe follows a 'law of hierarchy' that stops it tearing apart
Published March 1, 2016
How gravity created the universe’s wide variety of body sizes
Published February 18, 2016
Adrian Bejan: Why rolling stones and elephants live longer and travel farther
Published November 6, 2015
Adrian Bejan quoted: 133 years later, Gaudí's cathedral nears completion
Published August 27, 2015
Taking a Cue from Nature to Improve Energy Storage
Published July 27, 2015
Building a fire scientifically: There’s no better way than the caveman’s
Published June 9, 2015
Adrian Bejan: How to build the perfect fire
Published June 8, 2015
The Shape of a Perfect Fire: As Tall as Wide
Published April 27, 2015
Adrian Bejan comments: With five pitchers over 6-foot-7, Yankees have some tall tales
Published April 23, 2015
Adrian Bejan: ‘Growth is not evolution’