Andy McIntosh

Andy McIntosh is Professor of Thermodynamics and Combustion Theory at Leeds University, UK. He holds a BS with first class honors in applied mathematics from the University of Wales, a PhD in the theory of combustion from the Cranfield Institute of Technology, and a DSc in mathematics from the University of Wales. He does academic research in applied dynamical systems,  combustion,  combustion and fuel engineering, energy, environmental management and rehabilitation, mathematical chemistry, mathematics applied to other sciences, numerical solution of differential equations, physical chemistry, and solid fuels. Prof McIntosh is Reader in Combustion Theory in the Department of Fuel and Energy.  Prof McIntosh has contributed chapters to 10 textbooks dealing with combustion theory and published over 80 research papers.  He has lectured extensively in universities on a variety of topics.  More recently he has focused on complexity and the design inferences illustrated by flight capabilities of organisms.  He does funded biomimetic research on combustion processes in insects, such as bombardier beetles.  He is the author ofGenesis for Today: Showing the Relevance of the Creation/Evolution Debate to Today's SocietyandGenesis: A Study for Today.   

2011 Forum Sessions

Standard Workshops

Thermodynamics and Information:  The Fingerprints of Intelligence

This workshop will address the question of the nature of information in living systems. We will consider the concepts of intelligence and information and the connection with machines and the laws of thermodynamics. How does information relate to the hardware used? Is it possible to measure information and its effect on the local thermodynamics of the system hardware? How do these relate in real systems, and can one connect and quantify the effect of information on matter and energy?

In living systems, the extraordinary complexity which so organises the chemical proteins at the biochemical level with what is in effect digital machinery, has impressed scientists for two generations since the discovery by Crick and Watson of DNA in 1953, and has been the goal of modern software engineers to seek to emulate. The functional complexity of these systems is clearly dependent on the material environment in which such a system is operating, and indeed uses all the same chemical and physical laws that are used to such good effect by any man made machines. But do the physics and chemistry of the material substrate drive the information system or is information non-material and is in fact the real engine driving the system?

back to top