Special Issue "Advances in Thermodynamics"

Guest Editor
Dr. Ismo T. Koponen
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, Gustaf Hällströmin Katu 2, FI - 00014 Helsinki, Finland
Website: http://per.physics.helsinki.fi/eng/personnel/ismo_koponen.htm
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Interests: statistical physics; networks; kinetic models; learning and education; philosophy of science

Managing Editor
Dr. Shu-Kun Lin
MDPI AG, Postfach, CH-4005 Basel, Switzerland. Office: Kandererstrasse 25, 4057 Basel
Website: http://www.mdpi.org/lin/
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Interests: Gibbs paradox; entropy; symmetry; similarity; diversity; information theory; thermodynamics; process irreversibility or spontaneity; stability; nature of the chemical processes; molecular recognition; open access journals

Entropy is a key concept in thermodynamics. We decide to expand Entropy journal to cover thermodynamics in general also. All papers on thermodynamics, thermal physics, thermochemistry, heat transfer are invited for consideration and publication in this special issue. In future, a section "Thermodynamics" will be set up.

Submission

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. Papers will be published continuously (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are refereed through a peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Entropy is an international peer-reviewed Open Access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Type of Paper: Review
Title: Molecular Mechanisms of Electron Transfer Reactions in Photosynthesis: Thermodynamic Aspect
Author: Harvey J.M. Hou
Affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA; E-Mail: hhou@umassd.edu
Abstract: Photosynthesis involves a series of electron transfer steps to convert the sunlight energy into the chemical energy in green plants, algae, and cynobacteria. In this review the thermodynamic parameters including enthalpy, entropy, and volume changes of electron transfer reactions in photosynthesis are reviewed. With the measurement of enthalpy change by pulsed photoacoustics, the reaction entropy can be calculated when free energy is known. Dissecting the free energy of a photoreaction into enthalpic and entropic components may provide critical information about mechanisms of electron transfer in general. The potential limitations and future direction of thermodynamic aspect of electron transfer reactions in photosynthesis are also discussed.
Keywords: electron transfer; enthalpy; entropy; photoacoustics; photosynthesis