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Public Library of Science, PLoS Computational Biology, 8(6), p. e1000902, 2010

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000902

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Reverse Engineering of Oxygen Transport in the Lung: Adaptation to Changing Demands and Resources through Space-Filling Networks

Journal article published in 2010 by Chen Hou ORCID, Stefan Gheorghiu, Virginia H. Huxley, Peter Pfeifer
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

The space-filling fractal network in the human lung creates a remarkable distribution system for gas exchange. Landmark studies have illuminated how the fractal network guarantees minimum energy dissipation, slows air down with minimum hardware, maximizes the gas- exchange surface area, and creates respiratory flexibility between rest and exercise. In this paper, we investigate how the fractal architecture affects oxygen transport and exchange under varying physiological conditions, with respect to performance metrics not previously studied.