By
R. Rastogi, Indian National Science Academy, Hony and Emeritus Professor, Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, India
Description
The book presents a critical and comprehensive account of Non-equilibrium Physical Chemistry from theoretical and experimental angle.
It covers a wide spectrum of non-equilibrium phenomena from steady state close to equilibrium to non-linear region involving transition
to bistability, temporal oscillations, spatio-temporal oscillations and finally to far from equilibrium phenomena such as complex pattern
formation, dynamic instability at interfaces, Chaos and complex growth phenomena (fractals) in Physico-chemical systems.
Part I
of the book deals with theory and experimental studies concerning transport phenomena in membranes (Thermo-osmosis,Electroosmotic ) and
in continuous systems (Thermal diffusion,Soret effect) close to equilibrium Experimental tests provide insight into the domain of validity
of Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics ,which is the major theoretical tool for this region. Later developments in Extended Irreversible Thermodynamics
and Non-equilibrium Molecular dynamics have been discussed in the Appendix.
Part II deals with non-linear steady states and bifurcation
to multistability, temporal and spatio- temporal oscillations (Chemical waves). Similarly Part II deals with more complex phenomena such
as Chaos and fractal growth occurring in very far from equilibrium region. Newer mathematical techniques for investigating such phenomena
along with available experimental studies.
Part IV deals with analogous non-equilibrium phenomena occurring in the real systems
(Socio-political, Finance and Living systems etc.) for which physico-chemical systems discussed in earlier chapters provide a useful
model for development of theories based on non-linear science and science of complexity.
Audience:
This book is suitable for graduate students, researchers, chemists, biologists, social scientists, economists, physiologists, physical scientists and chemical engineers.
