Scientific Publishing Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics Of Heterogeneous Systems (Series On Advances In Statistical Mechanics)

The purpose of this book is to encourage the use of non-equilibrium thermodynamics to describe transport in complex, heterogeneous media. With large coupling effects between the transport of heat, mass, charge and chemical reactions at surfaces, it is important to know how one should properly integrate across systems where different phases are in contact. No other book gives a prescription of how to set up flux equations for transports across heterogeneous systems.The authors apply the thermodynamic description in terms of excess densities, developed by Gibbs for equilibrium, to non-equilibrium systems. The treatment is restricted to transport into and through the surface. Using local equilibrium together with the balance equations for the surface, expressions for the excess entropy production of the surface and of the contact line are derived. Many examples are given to illustrate how the theory can be applied to coupled transport of mass, heat, charge and chemical reactions; in phase transitions, at electrode surfaces and in fuel cells. Molecular simulations and analytical studies are used to add insight. Review This is a very good book, maybe the best in non-equilibrium thermodynamics in the past few years. As the book is restricted mostly to homogeneous systems and assumes preliminary knowledge of equilibrium thermodynamics and the basic balances of continuum physics, it is comprehensible and recommended to everybody who is interested in the application areas of the book or in non-equilibrium thermodynamics in general, both for engineers and researchers. --Journal of Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics This textbook may serve as a basis for an introductory course on the theory of non-equilibrium thermodynamics in heterogeneous media. It will appeal to both mathematicians and mathematics graduate students. The reader will find useful complementary materials included: a large number of good examples and exercises are solved for the benefit of the reader. The reviewer highly recommends this book as a basic reference on the non-equilibrium thermodynamics of heterogeneous systems. --Mathematical Reviews