Some applications of the current divider principle to physical networks: a network thermodynamic approach to a 'biological' circuit theory

Network thermodynamics is a relatively young field, in which classical network theory is applied to a broader class of systems than those traditionally found in electronics. L. Peusner (1986) has developed a technique for treating chemical reaction kinetics as resistive networks in the steady state and as R-C networks in the transient state. Simulation programs originally designed for circuit simulation, such as SPICE, become general simulators using these ideas. A broad range of applications suggests that a circuit theory for living systems is emerging. This is illustrated for a simple network configuration, namely the current divider. The relation between the current divider principle and Curie's principle of symmetry breaking is illustrated.>