Small systems are a very active area of research and development due to improved instrumentation that allows for spatial resolution in the range of sizes from one to 100 nm. In this size range, many physical and chemical properties change, which opens up new approaches to the study of substances and their practical application. This affects both traditional fields of knowledge and many other new fields including physics, chemistry, biology, etc. This book highlights new developments in statistical thermodynamics that answer the most important questions about the specifics of small systems - when one cannot apply equations or traditional thermodynamic models.

This book highlights new developments in statistical thermodynamics that answer the most important questions about the specifics of small systems in the range of sizes from one to 100 nm- when one cannot apply equations or traditional thermodynamic models.

This thesis presents a general theory of nonequilibrium thermodynamics for information processing. Ever since Maxwell's demon was proposed in the nineteenth century, the relationship between thermodynamics and information has attracted much attention because it concerns the foundation of the second law of thermodynamics. From the modern point of view, Maxwell's demon is formulated as an information processing device that performs measurement and feedback at the level of thermal fluctuations. By unifying information theory, measurement theory, and the recently developed theory of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, the author has constructed a theory of "information thermodynamics," in which information contents and thermodynamic variables are treated on an equal footing. In particular, the maximum work that can be extracted by the demon and the minimum work that is needed for measurement and information erasure by the demon has been determined. Additionally, generalizations of nonequilibrium relations such as a Jarzynski equality for classical stochastic systems in the presence of feedback control have been derived. One of the generalized equalities has recently been verified experimentally by using sub-micron colloidal particles. The results obtained serve as fundamental principles for information processing in small thermodynamic systems, and are applicable to nanomachines and nanodevices.

Thermal Analysis and Thermodynamic Properties of Solids, Second Edition covers foundational principles and recent updates in the field, presenting an authoritative overview of theoretical knowledge and practical applications across several fields. Since the first edition of this book was published, large developments have occurred in the theoretical understanding of—and subsequent ability to assess and apply—principles of thermal analysis. Drawing on the knowledge of its expert author, this second edition provides fascinating insight for both new and experienced students, researchers, and industry professionals whose work is influenced or impacted by thermo analysis principles and tools. Part 1 provides a detailed introduction and guide to theoretical aspects of thermal analysis and the related impact of thermodynamics. Key terminology and concepts, the fundamentals of thermophysical examinations, thermostatics, equilibrium background, thermotics, reaction kinetics and models, thermokinetics and the exploitation of fractals are all discussed. Part 2 then goes on to discuss practical applications of this theoretical information to topics such as crystallization kinetics and glass states, thermodynamics in superconductor models, and climate change. - Includes fully updated as well as new chapters on kinetic phase diagrams, thermokinetics in DTA experiments, and crystallization kinetics - Discusses the influence of key derivatives such as thermostatics, thermodynamics, thermotics, and thermokinetics - Helps readers understand and describe reaction kinetics in solids, both in terms of simplified descriptions of the reaction mechanism models and averaged descriptions using fractals

Die Grundlagen der klassischen und der statistischen Thermodynamik werden hier in solider Weise anhand sorgfältig durchdachter Argumentationen eingeführt, ergänzt durch zahlreiche Beispiele und Anwendungen. Systematisch werden die Grundbegriffe der Atomtheorie erarbeitet. Gestützt auf diese Kenntnisse kann der Leser dann die Beschreibung und Vorhersage der Eigenschaften makroskopischer Systeme erlernen.

This invaluable book provides a pointed introduction to the fascinating subject of bottom-up nanotechnology with emphasis on the molecular-based study of condensed matter in small systems. Nanotechnology has its roots in the landmark lecture delivered by the famous Nobel Laureate physicist, Richard Feynman, on 29 December 1959 entitled “There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom.” By the mid-1980s, it had gained real momentum with the invention of scanning probe microscopes. Today, nanotechnology promises to have a revolutionary impact on the way things are designed and manufactured in the future.Principles of Nanotechnology is self-contained and unified in presentation. It may be used as a textbook by graduate students and even ambitious undergraduates in engineering, and the biological and physical sciences who already have some familiarity with quantum and statistical mechanics. It is also suitable for experts in related fields who require an overview of the fundamental topics in nanotechnology. The explanations in the book are detailed enough to capture the interest of the curious reader, and complete enough to provide the necessary background material needed to go further into the subject and explore the research literature. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of nanotechnology, a comprehensive glossary is included detailing abbreviations, chemical formulae, concepts, definitions, equations and theories.

Both a comprehensive overview and a treatment at the appropriate level of detail, this textbook explains thermodynamics and generalizes the subject so it can be applied to small nano- or biosystems, arbitrarily far from or close to equilibrium. In addition, nonequilibrium free energy theorems are covered with a rigorous exposition of each one. Throughout, the authors stress the physical concepts along with the mathematical derivations. For researchers and students in physics, chemistry, materials science and molecular biology, this is a useful text for postgraduate courses in statistical mechanics, thermodynamics and molecular simulations, while equally serving as a reference for university teachers and researchers in these fields.

This book provides a concise overview of thermodynamics, and is written in a manner which makes the difficult subject matter understandable. Thermodynamics is systematic in its presentation and covers many subjects that are generally not dealt with in competing books such as: Carathéodory's approach to the Second Law, the general theory of phase transitions, the origin of phase diagrams, the treatment of matter subjected to a variety of external fields, and the subject of irreversible thermodynamics.The book provides a first-principles, postulational, self-contained description of physical and chemical processes. Designed both as a textbook and as a monograph, the book stresses the fundamental principles, the logical development of the subject matter, and the applications in a variety of disciplines. This revised edition is based on teaching experience in the classroom, and incorporates many exercises in varying degrees of sophistication. The stress laid on a didactic, logical presentation, and on the relation between theory and experiment should provide a reader with a more intuitive understanding of the basic principles.Graduate students and professional chemists in physical chemistry and inorganic chemistry, as well as graduate students and professionals in physics who wish to acquire a more sophisticated overview of thermodynamics and related subject matter will find this book extremely helpful. - Takes the reader through various steps to understanding - Review of fundamentals - Development of subject matter - Applications in a variety of disciplines

Bridge the gap between thermodynamic theory and engineering practice with this essential textbook Thermodynamics is a discipline which straddles the fields of chemistry, physics, and engineering, and has long been a mainstay of undergraduate and graduate curricula. Conventional thermodynamics courses, however, often ignore modern developments in statistical mechanics, such as molecular simulation methods, cooperative phenomena, phase transitions, universality, as well as liquid-state and polymer theories, despite their close relevance to both fundamental research and engineering practice. Fundamentals and Practice in Statistical Thermodynamics fills this gap with an essential book that applies up-to-date statistical-mechanical techniques to address the most crucial thermodynamics problems found in chemical and materials systems. It is ideally suited to introduce a new generation of researchers and molecular engineers to modern thermodynamic topics with numerous cutting-edge applications. From Fundamentals and Practice in Statistical Thermodynamics readers will also find: An introduction to statistical-mechanical methods including molecular dynamics simulation, Monte Carlo simulation, as well as the molecular theories of phase transitions, classical fluids, electrolyte solutions, polymeric materials, and more Illustrative examples and exercise problems with solutions to facilitate student understanding Supplementary online materials covering the basics of quantum mechanics, density functional theory, variational principles of classical mechanics, intermolecular interactions, and many more subjects Fundamentals and Practice in Statistical Thermodynamics is ideal for graduate and advanced undergraduate students in chemical engineering, biomolecular engineering, environmental engineering, materials science and engineering, and all related scientific subfields of physics and chemistry.

Volume V is the counterpart of Volume IV and treats hydrophilic colloids and related items. Contains edited contributions on steric stabilization, depletion, polyelectrolytes, proteins at interfaces, association colloids, microemulsions, thin films, foams and emulsions. J. Lyklema is coauthor of two chapters and general editor. Other authors include: G.J. Fleer, F.A.M. Leermakers, M.A. Cohen Stuart, W. Norde, J.A.G. Buijs, J.C. Eriksson, T.Sottmann, R. Strey, D. Platikanov, D. Ekserova, V.Bergeron and P.Walstra. * This volume completes the prestigious series Fundamentals of Interface and Colloid Science* Together with Volume IV this book provides a comprehensive introduction to colloid science.* Explains and elaborates phenomena starting from basic principles and progresses to more advanced topics