Irreversibility in macroscopic physics: from Carnot cycle to dissipative structures

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · Found. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01889539· OSTI ID:5973898

Glansdorff, P

The conceptual foundations of the modern thermodynamic theory related to a large category of far-from-equilibrium phenomena are outlined, and the historical continuity with early developments based on the impossibility of perpetual motion is discussed. In this perspective the discovery of thermodynamic stability criteria around steady or periodic processes, together with a general evolution criterion that is valid in the non-linear region (and thus implying creation of order and applicability to living systems), appears as a most remarkable development indeed. The leading role played by the Brussels school and particularly by Ilya Prigogine is emphasized.

• Research Organization: Service de Chimie Physique II, Bruxelles, Belgium
• OSTI ID: 5973898
• Journal Information: Found. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 17:7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
IRREVERSIBLE PROCESSES
PRIGOGINE THEOREM
REVIEWS
THERMODYNAMICS
CARNOT CYCLE
CLASSICAL MECHANICS
CONSERVATION LAWS
ENERGY BALANCE
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY LOSSES
ENERGY TRANSFER
ENTROPY
EQUILIBRIUM
HEAT TRANSFER
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
LYAPUNOV METHOD
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
ONSAGER RELATIONS
OPTIMIZATION
QUANTUM MECHANICS
SCIENTIFIC PERSONNEL
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
EFFICIENCY
LOSSES
MECHANICS
PERSONNEL
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
657002* - Theoretical & Mathematical Physics- Classical & Quantum Mechanics