Emerging Perspectives on Optimization and Selection Principles in Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics
A special issue of Entropy (ISSN 1099-4300). This special issue belongs to the section "Non-equilibrium Phenomena".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2027 | Viewed by 3
Editors
Interests: nanotechnology; ecology; foresight decision support; green technology; complexity science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: physics; thermodynamic systems; environmental science; climate change
Interests: materials science; nanotechnology; physical chemistry; polymer chemistry; molecular physics; thermodynamics
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Nonequilibrium thermodynamics provides a fundamental framework for understanding the behavior of systems operating far from equilibrium, where irreversible processes, nonlinear interactions, and self-organization govern the evolution of natural and engineered systems. Recent theoretical advances, coupled with computational modeling, artificial intelligence, and high-resolution experimental techniques, have significantly expanded our ability to analyze optimization and selection principles that determine system stability, efficiency, adaptability, and emergent behavior. This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research that advances the theoretical foundations, computational methodologies, and practical applications of optimization, trade-offs, and selection principles in nonequilibrium thermodynamics. Contributions addressing both classical and modern formulations are encouraged, including variational and extremum principles, entropy production, dissipative structures, multiscale dynamics, stochastic thermodynamics, and nonlinear irreversible processes. Topics of interest include thermodynamic optimization in energy conversion and storage, transport phenomena, biological and ecological systems, soft matter, active matter, quantum and nanoscale thermodynamics, self-organization, pattern formation, and complex adaptive systems. Contributions employing machine learning, digital twins, data-driven modeling, and multiscale simulation to investigate nonequilibrium processes are particularly encouraged.
By fostering cross-disciplinary discussion, this Special Issue seeks to highlight emerging theoretical insights, innovative computational approaches, and transformative applications that deepen our understanding of optimization and selection mechanisms in nonequilibrium systems. The collected contributions are expected to provide a valuable resource for researchers developing next-generation theories and technologies that leverage nonequilibrium thermodynamics to address challenges in energy, sustainability, advanced materials, and complex dynamical systems. It welcomes theoretical, computational, and experimental contributions that examine how thermodynamic systems are organized, operate, evolve, or are evaluated under kinetic constraints, external driving forces, resource limitations, fluctuations, and competing objectives. Topics may include general extremum and variational principles; thermodynamic performance, dissipation, stability, and control; multiscale and stochastic descriptions; transport and reaction processes; networked, biological, active-matter, and soft-matter systems; and energy and matter conversion in its broadest sense. Contributions addressing optimization, robustness, adaptation, multi-criterion assessment, or emergent selection mechanisms are particularly welcome, as are studies that clarify the scope, interpretation, and limitations of proposed thermodynamic principles. This Special Issue aims to bring together diverse perspectives on how thermodynamic constraints shape the organization, performance, and evolution of systems far from equilibrium.
Prof. Dr. Ashok Vaseashta
Dr. Karen K. Huruntz
Prof. Dr. Ioan Stamatin
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- nonequilibrium thermodynamics
- optimization principles
- selection principles
- irreversible processes
- entropy production
- stochastic thermodynamics
- dissipative structures
- self-organization
- nonlinear dynamics
- complex systems
- multiscale modeling
- thermodynamic optimization
- energy conversion
- AL/ML/digital twins
- data-driven modeling
- sustainability
- transport phenomena
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