Dynamics and thermodynamics of complex fluids. I. Development of a general formalism
Abstract
We recognize some universal features of macroscopic dynamics describing the approach of a well-established level of description (that is, successfully tested by experimental observations) to equilibrium. The universal features are collected in a general equation for the nonequilibrium reversible-irreversible coupling (abbreviated as GENERIC). In this paper we formulate a GENERIC, derive properties of its solutions, and discuss their physical interpretation. The relation of the GENERIC with thermodynamics is most clearly displayed in a formulation that uses contact structures. The GENERIC is also discussed in the presence of noise. In applications we either search for new governing equations expressing our insight into a particular complex fluid or take well-established governing equations and cast them into the form of a GENERIC. In the former case we obtain the governing equations as particular realizations of the GENERIC structure; in the latter case we justify the universality of the GENERIC and derive some properties of solutions. Both types of applications are discussed mainly in the following paper [Phys. Rev. E 56, 6633 (1997)].
- Publication:
-
Physical Review E
- Pub Date:
- December 1997
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevE.56.6620
- Bibcode:
- 1997PhRvE..56.6620G
- Keywords:
-
- 05.70.Ln;
- 05.60.+w;
- 51.10.+y;
- Nonequilibrium and irreversible thermodynamics;
- Kinetic and transport theory of gases