Applied Thermodynamics: Modern Developments

Dear Colleagues,

Energy contents, transformations and transfers are the mainstay in the field of thermodynamics. Rigorous interpretations of the first and second laws of thermodynamics have introduced material properties, elucidated system behaviors, and characterized material configurations and active processes (physical, chemical, and so on). Classical works in thermodynamics have found extensive practical applications in often controlled, predominantly single-process transformations, as well as laboratory experiments that provide insights into system behaviors. Engineering thermodynamics forms the basis on which combustion engines, power plants and heating/cooling systems operate. The advent of modern irreversible thermodynamics launched a new era in which thermodynamics has become the most widely used science field for characterizing diverse multi-scale inter-disciplinary systems, including biological, nuclear, chemical, electrical, mechanical and thermal systems. In a world where artificial intelligence is the lowest hanging fruit for system analysts and maintenance engineers, the understanding of system–process interactions remains sparse. Unexpected system behaviors due to aging and instabilities continue to render artificial intelligence and other approaches inadequate and often incapable. Hence, the need for continued research into the further development and practical applications of thermodynamics, particularly to systems and processes for which existing methods are inapplicable or inconsistent.

This Special Issue solicits original research and review articles, as well as short communications in the area of applied thermodynamics. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Aging/degradation/remaining useful life (RUL) modeling;
• Thermodynamics of tribology;
• Power generation;
• System optimization;
• Characterization of materials and material configurations;
• Energy systems (storage, transfer and losses);
• Dissipative mechanisms;
• Nuclear thermodynamics.

Dr. Jude Osara
Prof. Dr. Michael Bryant
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.