dissipative structures

Dissipative structures are organized patterns or systems that form and maintain themselves in open systems far from equilibrium, where energy flows through them. They emerge when energy input exceeds certain thresholds, allowing order to develop from chaos—like convection cells in boiling water or the swirling patterns in a hurricane. These structures continuously exchange energy and matter with their environment, maintaining their organization despite ongoing dissipation (loss of energy). Essentially, they exemplify how order can arise and persist in natural systems through dynamic processes driven by energy flow.