Reoccurring patterns in hierarchical protein materials and music: The power of analogies

TL;DR

This paper explores how analogies between hierarchical protein materials and music reveal underlying principles of complex systems, using category theory to map structural similarities and inform nanotechnology applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach of using hierarchical ontology logs and category theory to draw meaningful analogies between biological materials and music, advancing understanding of hierarchical system principles.

Findings

Identified structural similarities between spider silk and classical music

Demonstrated the use of category theory for system representation

Discussed implications for nanotechnology development

Abstract

Complex hierarchical structures composed of simple nanoscale building blocks form the basis of most biological materials. Here we demonstrate how analogies between seemingly different fields enable the understanding of general principles by which functional properties in hierarchical systems emerge, similar to an analogy learning process. Specifically, natural hierarchical materials like spider silk exhibit properties comparable to classical music in terms of their hierarchical structure and function. As a comparative tool here we apply hierarchical ontology logs (olog) that follow a rigorous mathematical formulation based on category theory to provide an insightful system representation by expressing knowledge in a conceptual map. We explain the process of analogy creation, draw connections at several levels of hierarchy and identify similar patterns that govern the structure of the hierarchical systems silk and music and discuss the impact of the derived analogy for nanotechnology.