# Viscosity and diffusion in life processes and tuning of fundamental constants

Source: [Viscosity and diffusion in life processes and tuning of fundamental constants](<https://www.sota2.com/research/paper/68fa45731e209131ce918bce>)

Collection index: [llms.txt](<https://www.sota2.com/research/llms.txt>)

Data updated: 2025-10-25T05:17:57.980Z

Authors: K Trachenko

Published: 2023-07-10T16:17:10.000Z

## Abstract

Viewed as one of the grandest questions in modern science, understanding fundamental physical constants has been discussed in high-energy particle physics, astronomy and cosmology. Here, I review how condensed matter and liquid physics gives new insights into fundamental constants and their tuning. This is based on two observations: first, cellular life and the existence of observers depend on viscosity and diffusion. Second, the lower bound on viscosity and upper bound on diffusion are set by fundamental constants, and I briefly review this result and related recent developments in liquid physics. I will subsequently show that bounds on viscosity, diffusion and the newly introduced 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. This implies that it is possible to produce heavy elements in stars but have a viscous planet where all liquids have very high viscosity (for example that of tar or higher) and where life may not exist. Knowing the range of bio-friendly viscosity and diffusion, we will be able to calculate the range of fundamental constants which favor cellular life and observers and compare this tuning with that discussed in high-energy physics previously. This invites an inter-disciplinary research between condensed matter physics and life sciences, and I formulate several questions that life science can address. I finish with a conjecture of multiple tuning and an evolutionary mechanism.

## Recorded benchmark results

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## Original sources and implementation

[Original paper](<https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.05273>)

[PDF](<https://arxiv.org/pdf/2307.05273.pdf>)