Constraints on fundamental physical constants from bio-friendly viscosity and diffusion

Abstract

The problem of understanding fundamental physical constants was discussed in particle physics, astronomy and cosmology. Here, I show that a new insight comes from condensed matter physics and liquid physics in particular: fundamental constants have a bio-friendly window constrained by bio-friendly viscosity and diffusion setting the motion in essential life processes in and across cells. I also show that bounds on viscosity, diffusion and the fundamental velocity gradient in a biochemical machine can all be varied while keeping the fine-structure constant and the proton-to-electron mass ratio intact, with no implication for the production of heavy nuclei in stars. This leads to a conjecture of multiple tuning and an evolutionary mechanism.

References in corpus (6)

• The fundamental constants and their variation: observational status and theoretical motivations
• Why the Universe is Just So
• Theory of activated-rate processes under shear with application to shear-induced aggregation of colloids
• Minimal quantum viscosity from fundamental physical constants
• The Degree of Fine-Tuning in our Universe -- and Others
• Properties of condensed matter from fundamental physical constants

Cited by in corpus (4)

• General theory of the viscosity of liquids and solids from nonaffine particle motions
• Viscosity and diffusion in life processes and tuning of fundamental constants
• Extrinsic and intrinsic effects setting viscosity in complex fluids and life processes: the role of fundamental physical constants
• Fundamental physical constants, operation of physical phenomena and entropy increase