Purpose -This paper considers a perspective on particulate matter as being formed from closed loops of waveform energy flow, consistent with observations by de Broglie, Schrödinger and others and supported by recent research findings. It demonstrates that all experimentally verified findings of special relativity may be derived directly from such a model. It further shows a clear form of auto-adaptive behaviour exhibited by such structures. Design/methodology/approach -A generalised closed-loop energy flow model is analysed from first principles. Findings -Motion-dependent time dilation, invariance of the measured speed of light, the Lorentz transformation, mass-energy equivalence (E ¼ mc 2 ) and speed-related increase in apparent mass all follow naturally from this structure. Given this view of matter objective invariance of the speed of light relative to all inertial states of motion is an unnecessary and insupportable assumption. A unique objective rest frame (subject to Hubble expansion of space) is identified. All elementary sub-atomic particles owe their longevity to a non-destructive state-change response to energy input, referred to as "motion". A radically new perspective on time is presented. A possible causal explanation for particle-antiparticle asymmetry is identified. Research limitations/implications -Closed timelike curves are not a possibility. Further implications for all fields of physics are very extensive. Practical implications -There is no conflict between superluminal technologies and causality. Over and above this, possible practical implications are too extensive to be enumerated. Originality/value -The paper is totally original and of significant potential value in various respects.