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3 Mb PDF file , 2006

Abstract:

Irreversible processes in Open non-equilibrium thermodynamic systems, of topological dimension 4, can decay locally to Closed non-equilibrium thermodynamic states, of topological dimension 3, by means of continuous topological evolution. These topologically coherent, perhaps deformable, states of one or more components appear to "emerge" as compact 3D Contact submanifolds, defined as topological defects in the 4D Symplectic manifold. These emergent states are still far from equilibrium, as their topological (not geometrical) dimension is greater than 2. The 3D Contact submanifold admits a unique extremal Hamiltonian process (as well as fluctuation components). If the subsequent evolution is dominated by the Hamiltonian component, the emergent topological defects will maintain a relatively long-lived, topologically coherent, approximately non-dissipative structure. These defect structures yield an evolutionary behavior that can be associated with the idea of "stationary states" far from equilibrium. If the fluctuation (spinor) components are weak, but not zero, the emergent thermodynamic structure will ultimately decay, but only after a substantial "lifetime". Analytic solutions and examples of these processes of continuous topological evolution give credence, and a deeper understanding, to the general theory of self-organized states far from equilibrium, as conjectured by I. Prigogine. Moreover, in an applied sense, universal engineering design criteria can be developed to minimize irreversible dissipation and to improve system efficiency in general situations. As the methods are based on universal topological, not geometrical, ideas, the general thermodynamic results apply to all synergetic topological systems. It may come as a surprise, but ecological applications of thermodynamics need not be limited to the design specific hardware devices, but apply to all synergetic systems be they mechanical, biological, economical or political. http://aux.planetphysics.org/files/books/137/Atme.pdf

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Open access: http://aux.planetphysics.org/files/books/137/Atme.pdf

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