Materials Thermodynamics (EBT 324/3)

This is a work in four parts, dealing with the mechanics and thermodynamics of materials with memory, including properties of the dynamical equations which describe their evolution in time under varying loads. The first part is an introduction to Continuum Mechanics with sections dealing with classical Fluid Mechanics and Elasticity, linear and non-linear. The second part is devoted to Continuum Thermodynamics, which is used to derive constitutive equations of materials with memory, including viscoelastic solids, fluids, heat conductors and some examples of non-simple materials. In part three, free energies for materials with linear memory constitutive relations are comprehensively explored. The new concept of a minimal state is also introduced. Formulae derived over the last decade for the minimum and related free energies are discussed in depth. Also, a new single integral free energy which is a functional of the minimal state is analyzed in detail. Finally, free energies for examples of non-simple materials are considered.In the final part, existence, uniqueness and stability results are presented for the integrodifferential equations describing the dynamical evolution of viscoelastic materials. A new approach to these topics, based on the use of minimal states rather than histories, is discussed in detail. There are also chapters on the controllability of thermoelastic systems with memory, the Saint-Venant problem for viscoelastic materials and on the theory of inverse problems.

Novel system performance through nanostructuring has been recognized in many branches of science in the last decades. The requirement for inventing a new technology paradigm has created research opportunities for scientists in very wide range of disciplines. In order to fully realize the tremendous potential of nanostructure science and technology, the extremely important challenges today are how to exploit synthetic methods for structures regulated at the atomic scale and to construct materials across the hierarchy of length scales from the atomic to mesoscopic and/or to macroscopic scale. This book comprises an overview of a wide variety of different approaches towards the synthesis of nanoscale materials and the hierarchical assemblies produced from them under the common theme of self-organization mechanisms via chemical and bio-inspired methods. The book covers many of the exciting and recent developments from basic research to applications in the field of self-assembly of nanostructures that are of general interest to a broad community of established and postgraduate researchers in physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and materials science.

Environmental problems are becoming an important aspects of our lives as industries grow apace with populations throughout the world. Our new book Thermodynamics, Solubility and Environmental Issues addresses some of the problems and shows how chemistry can help to reduce these problems. The unifying theme is Solubility - the most important and basic of Thermodynamic properties. This book is a collection of chapters covering a wide range of topics, written by experts and representing the latest findings in many topical and important areas related to solubility and environmental issues. Subjects covered, include: environmental remediation, CO[subscript 2] in natural systems, radioactive waste disposal, biodegradable polymers, pesticide contamination, mining problems, soil issues, heavy metals and groundwater, green chemistry, ionic liquids in the environment, body fluids and solubility, plasticizers and environmental pollution, bio-surfactants and the environment, problems with polymer production, modelling and predictions of environmental pollution, applications of supercritical fluids, gasoline additive problems in the environment, separation problems, and the biological uptake of aluminium. The book is aimed, not only at those working directly in some of the specific areas covered in the book, but at prospective researchers, environmental managers, parliamentarians, captains of industry, university teachers and students both graduate and post-graduate, scientists and technical personnel in all industries, public service personnel and also people wishing to invest in new technologies. One of the strengths of presenting material on a single topic (in this case solubility) covering a wide range of areas (all linked to environmental issues), in a single book, is that links can readily be made between these chapters, and this can lead to unique ways of solving both new and old environmental problems. Book jacket.