Twentieth-century research in the field of chemical pattern formation saw extraordinary progress due to the pathbreaking contributions of Nobel laureate Ilya Prigogine and his co-workers. Evidence exists that the dissipative structures studied by Prigogine and his colleagues may play a dominant role in the processes of self-organization of biological systems, the fundamental phenomena that govern all life forms. Brought together in this valuable volume are topical papers from the this research. Important aspects of nonlinear chemical pattern formation—dissipative structures—in chemical, biochemical, and geological systems are surveyed by leading scientists in the field of nonlinear chemistry. Topics covered include experimental observations of pattern formation in a variety of systems, bifurcation theory and analysis of nonlinear chemical rate equations, and the stochastic theory of nonlinear chemical reactions. Of particular interest are the studies of the effects of electric fields on the determination of nonequilibrium states of chemical systems.

This book discusses the theory, general principles, and energy source conditions allowing for the emergence of life in planetary systems. The author examines the material conditions found in natural hydrothermal sites, the appropriate analogs of prebiotic environments on early Earth. He provides an overview of current laboratory experiments in prebiotic materials chemistry and substantiation of a new direction for the experiments in the origin of life field. Describes thermodynamic inversion and how it relates to the living cell; Examines the current direction of experiments on prebiotic materials chemistry; Introduces and substantiates necessary conditions for the emergence of life.

Complexity and Complex Thermoeconomic Systems describes the properties of complexity and complex thermo-economic systems as the consequence of formulations, definitions, tools, solutions and results consistent with the best performance of a system. Applying to complex systems contemporary advanced techniques, such as static optimization, optimal control, and neural networks, this book treats the systems theory as a science of general laws for functional integrities. It also provides a platform for the discussion of various definitions of complexity, complex hierarchical structures, self-organization examples, special references, and historical issues. This book is a valuable reference for scientists, engineers and graduated students in chemical, mechanical, and environmental engineering, as well as those in physics, ecology and biology, helping them better understand the complex thermodynamic systems and enhance their technical skills in research. - Provides a lucid presentation of the dynamical properties of thermoeconomic systems - Includes original graphical material that illustrates the properties of complex systems - Written by a first-class expert in the field of advanced methods in thermodynamics

Genesis – In The Beginning deals with the origin and diversity of Life and early biological evolution and discusses the question of where (hot or cold sources) and when the beginning of Life took place. Among the sections are chapters dealing with prebiotic chemical processes and considering self-replication of polymers in mineral habitats. One chapter is dedicated to the photobiological regime on early Earth and the emergence of Life. This volume covers the role of symmetry, information and order (homochrial biomolecules) in the beginning of Life. The models of protocells and the genetic code with gene transfer are important topics in this volume. Three chapters discuss the Panspermia hypothesis (to answer “Are we from outer Space?”). Other chapters cover the Astrobiological aspects of Life in the Universe in extraterrestrial Planets of the Solar System and deal with cometary hydrosphere (and its connection to Earth). We conclude with the history and frontiers of Astrobiogy.