The Non-equilibrium Thermodynamic Foundations of Fundamental Problems from Nature

Dear Colleagues,

In the last few decades, the application of the physical framework known as “non-equilibrium thermodynamics” has allowed a greater understanding of difficult unresolved problems from Nature. Non-equilibrium thermodynamics brings out dynamical and emergent phenomena of many-body systems involving an extremely large number of microscopic degrees of freedom under a generalized thermodynamic potential. These phenomena, which arise when complex material is driven far from equilibrium, are very different from the phenomena found close to equilibrium and include dissipative structuring, space-time symmetry breaking, multiple stationary states, evolution over stationary states, history, and entropy production.

Some of the most difficult problems which have benefitted from such a non-equilibrium thermodynamic perspective include the origin and evolution of the universe (Big Bang), the origin of the second law of thermodynamics, the origin and meaning of time, the origin of complexity, the origin and meaning of dark energy, the universal particle–antiparticle asymmetry, the origin and evolution of life, the homochirality of life, global warming, understanding and controlling cancer, and understanding brain dynamics.

This Special Issue reviews the progress that has been made in these difficult fields through applying non-equilibrium thermodynamic formalism to these unresolved problems. Each review will be written in simple language for the non-expert, thereby allowing the utility of the non-equilibrium framework to be appreciated by those with little background in non-equilibrium thermodynamics and bringing wider recognition to your novel perspective on the problem.

Since Foundations is a new journal of the open-access publisher MDPI, the journal is offering to publish invited papers in this Special Issue free of charge. However, it is important that your intentions to publish a paper for this Special Issue are conveyed to us at the earliest possible date so that adequate planning of the Issue and its timely publication can be achieved.

Dr. Karo Michaelian
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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