Challenges to The Second Law of Thermodynamics : Theory and Experiment

Since the early 1980’s, roughly 50 papers representing over 20 challenges have appeared in the refereed scienti?c literature. In 2004, the mainstream scienti?c journal Entropy published a special edition devoted to second law challenges [3]. Modern second law challenges began in the early 1980’s with the theoretical proposals of Gordon and Denur.

PrefaceAcknowledgements1: Entropy and the Second Law 1.1 Early Thermodynamics1.2 The Second Law: Twenty-One Formulations1.3 Entropy: Twenty-One Varieties1.4 Nonequilibrium Entropy1.5 Entropy and the Second Law: Discussion 1.6 Zeroth and Third Laws of Thermodynamics References2: Challenges (1870-1980) 2.1 Maxwell''s Demon and Other Victorian Devils2.2 Exorcising Demons 2.3 Inviolability Arguments 2.4 Candidate Second Law Challenges References3: Modern Quantum Challenges: Theory 3.1 Prolegomenon 3.2 Thermodynamic Limit and Weak Coupling 3.3 Beyond Weak Coupling: Quantum Correlations 3.4 Allahverdyan and Nieuwenhuizen Theorem 3.5 Scaling and Beyond 3.6 Quantum Kinetic and Non-Kinetic Models3.7 Disputed Quantum Models3.8 Kinetics in the DC Limit 3.9 Theoretical SummaryReferences 4: Low-Temperature Experiments and Proposals 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Superconductivity 4.3 Keefe CMCE Engine 4.4 Nikulov Inhomogeneous Loop 4.5 Bose-Einstein Condensation and the Second Law 4.6 Quantum Coherence and Entanglement References5: Modern Classical Challenges 5.1 Introduction5.2 Gordon Membrane Models5.3 Denur Challenges 5.4 Crosignani-Di Porto Adiabatic Piston 5.5 Trupp Electrocaloric Cycle5.6 Liboff Tri-Channel 5.7 Thermodynamic Gas Cycles References6: Gravitational Challenges 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Asymmetric Gravitator Model 6.3 Loschmidt Gravito-Thermal Effect References 7: Chemical Nonequilibrium Steady States 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Chemical Paradox and Detailed Balance 7.3 Pressure Gradients and Reactions Rates 7.4 Numerical Simulations 7.5 Laboratory Experiments 7.6 Discussion and Outlook References 8: Plasma Paradoxes 8.1 Introduction8.2 Plasma I System8.3 Plasma II System 8.4 Jones andCruden Criticisms References 9: MEMS/NEMS Devices 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Thermal Capacitors 9.3 Linear Electrostatic Motor (LEM) 9.4 Hammer-Anvil Model 9.5 Experimental Prospects References10: Special Topics 10.1 Rubrics for Classical Challenges10.2 Thermosynthetic Life10.3 Physical Eschatology 10.4 The Second Law Mystique References Color Plates Index