Is there a link between the macroscopic approach to irreversibility and microscopic behaviour of the systems? Consumption of free energy keeps the system away from a stable equilibrium. Entropy generation results from the redistribution of energy, momentum, mass and charge. This concept represents the essence of the thermodynamic approach to irreversibility. Irreversibility is the result of the interaction between systems and their environment. The aim of this paper is to determine lost works in a molecular engine and compare results with macro (classical) heat engines. Firstly, irreversible thermodynamics are reviewed for macro and molecular cycles. Secondly, irreversible thermodynamics approaches are applied for a quantum heat engine with -1/2 spin system. Finally, lost works are determined for considered system and results show that macro and molecular heat engines obey same limitations. Moreover, a quantum thermodynamic approach is suggested in order to explain the results previously obtained from an atomic viewpoint.

Introduction to Thermodynamics of Irreversible Processes

Irreversible thermodynamic analysis and application for molecular heat engines

I. Introduction The new organicism II. The organism frees itself from the 'laws' of physics III. The organism is free from mechanical determinism The polychromatic organism The organism is a free sentient being and hence able to decide its own fat IV. The organism frees itself from mechanistic control as an interconnected, intercommunicating whole Long-range energy continua in cells and tissues Organism and environment-a mutual partnership V. The organism as an autonomous coherent whole Organisms are polyphasic liquid crystals Quantum coherence in living organisms The freedom of organisms Acknowledgments Notes References Abstract: According to Bergson (1916), the traditional problem of free will is misconceived and arises from a mismatch between the quality of authentic, subjective experience and its description in language, in particular, the language of the mechanistic science of psychology. Contemporary western scientific concepts of the organism, on the other hand, are leading us beyond conventional thermodynamics as well as quantum theory and offering rigorous insights which reaffirm and extend our intuitive, poetic, and even romantic notions of spontaneity and free will. I shall describe some new views of the organism arising from new findings in biology, in order to show how, in freeing itself from the 'laws' of physics, from mechanical determinism and mechanistic control, the organism becomes a sentient , coherent being that is free, from moment to moment, to explore and create its possible futures.

/pdf/the-biology-of-free-will-468w1st1tc.pdf

The biology of free will

Electro- and thermotransport of hydrogen in metals

Self-organization has proven to be a universal functioning property inherent to the open systems, including biological entities and living organisms. The flux of energy or matter through the system enables its transition to a new ordered state, which results from a cooperative behavior of the system’s constituents. The system functions far from thermodynamic equilibrium and its transitions between the states are treated within nonlinear models. An analysis of such behavior yields valuable information about the emergent properties of the particular system that is often impossible to obtain by other methods. This review summarizes some of the most interesting, recently reported phenomena related to dynamic self-organization and coherency at various complexity levels in living matter, demonstrating the widespread applications of these concepts in many modern fields of biological and healthcare research. The processes and interactions controlling self-organized behaviors are discussed in regards to molecular reactions, including mechanisms of protein folding, bioenergetics, and charge transfer. Phenomena in cells and tissues, as well as the examples of whole organs and organism levels are also reviewed. In addition, we analyze existing applications of self-organization and coherency processes in medicine. Special attention is given to determination of feedback mechanisms, control parameters, and order parameters needed to completely define the self-organized behavior and coherent dynamics of a particular system.

https://file.scirp.org/pdf/OJBIPHY_2014092313581308.pdf

Self-Organization and Coherency in Biology and Medicine

Modulated-temperature differential scanning calorimetry (M-TDSC) is becoming a useful tool in the characterisation of thermal behaviour of polymers. In this paper, we discuss whether the non-reversing M-TDSC signal can be used, quantitatively and directly, to study the process of physical ageing in polymers. Difference exists between the values of relaxation enthalpy determined by using average heat capacity, , signal as for conventional DSC and non-reversing heat capacity, C n p, signal. When the signal of reversing heat capacity of unaged sample is considered as baseline for and C n p signals, the difference disappears. It is concluded that non-reversing M-TDSC signal can be used to observe the process of physical ageing semi-qualitatively and directly. With increasing annealing time, the peak of the imaginary part, C″p, of the complex heat capacity becomes narrow, but peak area changes little. This indicated that C″p is not correlated with relaxation enthalpy. It may be related to entropy change during the modulation. However, the entropy change is quite small.

Introduction to Thermodynamics of Irreversible Processes

Citations

Irreversible thermodynamic analysis and application for molecular heat engines

The biology of free will

Electro- and thermotransport of hydrogen in metals

Self-Organization and Coherency in Biology and Medicine

Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry Observation of Physical Ageing in Polymers

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