Despite a long history of almost 180 years stretching back to the times of Carnot and, later, Clausius and Lord Kelvin, amongst others following him, the subject of thermodynamics has not as yet seen its full maturity, in the sense that the theory of irreversible processes has remained incomplete. The works of L. Onsager, J. Meixner, I. Prigogine on the thermodyn- ics of linear irreversible processes are, in effect, the early efforts toward the desired goal of giving an adequate description of irreversible processes, but their theory is confined to near-equilibrium phenomena. The works in recent years by various research workers on the extension of the aforem- tioned thermodynamic theory of linear irreversible processes are further efforts toward the goal mentioned. The present work is another of such efforts and a contribution to the subject of generalizing the thermodyn- ics of reversible processes, namely, equilibrium thermodynamics, to that of irreversible processes—non-equilibrium thermodynamics, without being restricted to linear irreversible processes. In this context the terms ‘far - moved from equilibrium’ is often used in the literature, and such states of macroscopic systems and non-linear irreversible phenomena in them are the objects of interest in this work. The thermodynamics of processes, either reversible or irreversible, is a continuum mechanical theory of matter and energy and their exchange between different parts of the system, and as such it makes no direct r- erence to the molecules constituting the substance under consideration.

This book presents the fundamentals of irreversible thermodynamics for nonlinear transport processes in gases and liquids, as well as for generalized hydrodynamics extending the classical hydrodynamics of Navier, Stokes, Fourier, and Fick. Together with its companion volume on nonrelativistic contexts, it provides a comprehensive picture of the relativistic covariant kinetic theory of gases and relativistic hydrodynamics of gases.Relativistic theories of macroscopic irreversible processes must strictly conform to the thermodynamic laws at every step and in all approximations that enter their derivation from the mechanical principles. Upholding this as the inviolable tenet, the author develops theories of irreversible transport processes in fluids (gases or liquids). They apply regardless of whether the processes are near to or far removed from equilibrium, or whether they are linear or nonlinear with respect to macroscopic fluxes or thermodynamic forces. The irreversible covariant Boltzmann as well as the covariant form of the Boltzmann-Nordheim-Uehling-Uhlenbeck equation is used for deriving theories of irreversible transport equations and generalized hydrodynamic equations for either classical gases or quantum gases. They all conform rigorously to the tenet. All macroscopic observables described by the so-formulated theories therefore are likewise expected to strictly obey the tenet.

This book introduces a new outlook on thermodynamics. It brings the theory up to the present time and indicates areas of further development with the union of information theory and the theory of means and their inequalities.

This book is the first of 2 special volumes dedicated to the memory of Gérard Maugin. Including 40 papers that reflect his vast field of scientific activity, the contributions discuss non-standard methods (generalized model) to demonstrate the wide range of subjects that were covered by this exceptional scientific leader. The topics range from micromechanical basics to engineering applications, focusing on new models and applications of well-known models to new problems. They include micro–macro aspects, computational endeavors, options for identifying constitutive equations, and old problems with incorrect or non-satisfying solutions based on the classical continua assumptions.

This graduate textbook covers contemporary directions of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics as well as classical methods of kinetics. Starting from phenomenological non-equilibrium thermodynamics, the kinetic equation method discussed and demonstrated with electrons and phonons in conducting crystals. Linear response theory as well as the non-equilibrium statistical operator and the master equation approach are discussed in the course of the book. With one of the main propositions being to avoid terms such as "obviously" and "it is easy to show", this treatise is an easy-to-read introduction into this traditional, yet vibrant field. Problems and their well-documented solutions included at appropriate points of the narrative allow the reader to actively develop essential parts of the theory himself. From the content: Phenomenological thermodynamics of irreversible processes Brownian motion Kinetic equations in non-equilibrium thermodynamics Kinetic equation for electrons and phonons in conducting crystals Theory of non-linear response to an external mechanical pertubation Non-equilibrium statistical operator method Response of a highly non-equilibrium system to a weakly measuring field Master equation approach

Maximum Dissipation: Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics and its Geometric Structure explores the thermodynamics of non-equilibrium processes in materials. The book develops a general technique created in order to construct nonlinear evolution equations describing non-equilibrium processes, while also developing a geometric context for non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Solid materials are the main focus in this volume, but the construction is shown to also apply to fluids. This volume also: • Explains the theory behind thermodynamically-consistent construction of non-linear evolution equations for non-equilibrium processes • Provides a geometric setting for non-equilibrium thermodynamics through several standard models, which are defined as maximum dissipation processes • Emphasizes applications to the time-dependent modeling of soft biological tissue Maximum Dissipation: Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics and its Geometric Structure will be valuable for researchers, engineers and graduate students in non-equilibrium thermodynamics and the mathematical modeling of material behavior.

This book is an introductory text on dynamic meteorology and is the result of Professor Riegel's long years of teaching experience. The approach is very pedagogical. Many examples are provided to illustrate basic concepts and ideas. The text is suitable for a one- or two-semester course.

This book enables the reader to learn, in a single volume, equilibrium and nonequilibrium thermodynamics as well as generalized forms of hydrodynamics for linear and nonlinear processes applied to various hydrodynamic flow processes — including chemical oscillation phenomena and pattern formations, shock wave phenomena, sound wave propagations, and Liesegang pattern formation, amongst others.Chemical Thermodynamics introduces advanced undergraduate students and graduate students to the fundamental ideas and notions of the first and second laws of thermodynamics by seamlessly combining equilibrium and nonequilibrium thermodynamics in a unicameral viewpoint based on the first and second law of thermodynamics. Part I of the book discusses equilibrium thermodynamics in historical deference, covering topics generally dealt with in traditional equilibrium thermodynamics. In Part II, the concept of entropy for reversible processes is extended and developed for thermodynamics of irreversible processes by using the concept of calortropy (heat evolution), so that the mathematical theory of macroscopic processes in matter, including a generalized form of hydrodynamics, is ensured to remain consistent with the thermodynamic laws.