Non-equilibrium thermodynamics, which is increasingly becoming important in the field of mechanical engineering recently, provides useful theoretical framework toward various transport phenomena in advanced technologies such as fuel cells, secondary batteries, thermos-electric conversion, and plasma technologies. Specifically, this theoretical framework provides a set of equations used to systematically treat multiple transport processes (e.g., transport of heat, mass, and electrical charge) that proceed simultaneously in the same space and interactions among them.
The aim of this lecture is to have students effectively learn the contents of this course first by introducing the theoretical framework and equations employing basic engineering problems as examples and then by applying them to specific engineering problems.
By completing this course, student will:
- Understand the concept and theory of thermodynamics for nonequilibrium systems
- Recognize the usefulness of the theoretical framework for treating broad engineering problems related to transport phenomena
- Become able to use/apply it to specific engineering problems
Non-equilibrium, Thermodynamics, Transport phenomena
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
This course consists of eight lectures. Students are strongly encouraged to take his/her own lecture notes and review what they learned after each lecture.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Outline and fundamental concept of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. | Learn fundamental concept of non-equilibrium thermodynamics and become able to explain the contents. |
Class 2 | Entropy generation, dissipation function, transport of heat/mass/charge | Learn entropy generation, dissipation function, transport of heat/mass/charge, and become able to explain the contents. |
Class 3 | Flux equation, phenomenological coefficients, Onsager reciprocal relations | Learn flux equation, phenomenological coefficients, Onsager reciprocal relations, and become able to explain the contents. |
Class 4 | Application of flux equation (1): Transport process in concentration cells | Learn transport process in concentration cells as application of flux equation, and become able to explain the contents. |
Class 5 | Application of flux equation (2): Transport process in ion-exchange membranes | Learn transport process in ion-exchange membranes as application of flux equation, and become able to explain the contents. |
Class 6 | Application of flux equation (3): Transport process in systems under temperature gradient | Learn transport process in systems under temperature gradient as application of flux equation, and become able to explain the contents. |
Class 7 | Application (1): Secondary battery, cation exchange membrane | Learn secondary batteries and cation exchange membranes as application of nonequilibrium thermodynamics, and become able to explain the contents. |
Class 8 | Application (2): Plasma (Nonequilibrium and energy transport process in plasma) | Learn nonequilibrium and energy transport process in plasma as application of nonequilibrium thermodynamics, and become able to explain the contents. |
K. S. Forland, T. Forland, S. K. Ratkje, "Irreversible Thermodynamics: Theory and Applications" John Wiley & Sons
S. Wisniewski, B. Staniszewski, R. Szymanic, "Thermodynamics of nonequilibrium processes", PWN-Polish Scientific.
S. R. de Groot, P. Mazur, "Non-equillibrium thermodynamics", North-Holland Publishing Co. or Dover Publications.
At the end of several lectures, short exams will be held to check student's understanding on the lectured contents. The grade is evaluated based on these scores. During this short exam, students can only look at the lecture note that is hand-written by themselves, and must not look at any materials that are copied or printed except handouts made and provided by the lecturers. One can use a scientific calculator, while use of a smart phone is not allowed.
None.