Thermodynamics beyond local equilibrium: illustrations and open problems
David Jou


Abstract
The local-equilibrium hypothesis is fruitful and reasonable in most common situations, but it breaks down in far from equilibrium situations, which are increasingly found in modern (fast and miniaturized) technology. Thus, the problem of the formulation of a generalized entropy including explicitly nonequilibrium contributions arises in a natural way. In this lecture. the contributions of extended irreversible thermodynamics to the formulation of a nonequilibrium entropy will be discussed, with two special illustrations:
a) relaxational effects in heat transport.
b) shear-induced phase separation in viscoelastic mixtures.
As open problems we will mention the definition and interpretation of temperature in nonequilibrium steady states, and the interplay between dynamics and thermodynamics out of equilibrium.

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Elenco dei partecipanti al convegno di Bari.

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