A model for a non-chemical form of life: crystalline physiology

Abstract

A definition of fundamental living units is given according to which they are constituted by the material support of some 'memory'; the latter is required--to be stable,--to contain rich information,--to diffuse it into the surrounding medium. It is then shown that the complex dislocation networks encountered in crystals can in some cases follow these criteria and lead to a crystalline physiology. The places of possible occurrence in nature of this kind of physiology, terrestrial and extraterrestrial rocks, interplanetary dust, white dwarfs and neutron stars are then discussed.