CHBE Seminar - Fluctuations in Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics

The Chemical and Biological Engineering Department will host a seminar on fluctuations in nonequilibrium thermodynamics, featuring Dr. Jan Sengers, Distinguished University Professor Emeritus and Research Professor of the Institute for Physical Science and Technology at the University of Maryland.

Abstract

The subject of nonequilibrium thermodynamics was fully developed in the first half of the 20th century. A fundamental principle in nonequilibrium thermodynamics is the assumption of local equilibrium. However, we now know that this local-equilibrium principle breaks down for thermal fluctuations. In contrast to thermal fluctuations in equilibrium thermodynamics, one finds large-scale thermal fluctuations in fluids in nonequilibrium states, even far away from hydrodynamic instability. These nonequilibrium fluctuations encompass the entire system, leading to the ubiquitous presence of finite-size effects, gravity effects, and mesoscopic fluctuation-induced forces in nonequilibrium fluids.