This Special Issue concerns the development of a theory for energy conversion on the nanoscale, namely, nanothermodynamics. The theory has been applied to porous media, small surfaces, clusters or fluids under confinement. The number of unsolved issues in these contexts is numerous and the present efforts are only painting part of the broader picture. We attempt to answer the following: How far down in scale does the Gibbs equation apply? Which theory can replace it beyond the thermodynamic limit? It is well known that confinement changes the equation of state of a fluid, but how does confinement change the equilibrium conditions themselves? This Special Issue explores some of the roads that were opened up for us by Hill with the idea of nanothermodynamics. The experimental progress in nanotechnology is advancing rapidly. It is our ambition with this book to inspire an increased effort in the development of suitable theoretical tools and methods to help further progress in nanoscience. All ten contributions to this Special Issue can be seen as efforts to support, enhance and validate the theoretical foundation of Hill.

For the efficient utilization of energy resources and the minimization of environmental damage, thermoelectric materials can play an important role by converting waste heat into electricity directly. Nanostructured thermoelectric materials have received much attention recently due to the potential for enhanced properties associated with size effects and quantum confinement. Nanoscale Thermoelectrics describes the theory underlying these phenomena, as well as various thermoelectric materials and nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes, SiGe nanowires, and graphene nanoribbons. Chapters written by leading scientists throughout the world are intended to create a fundamental bridge between thermoelectrics and nanotechnology, and to stimulate readers' interest in developing new types of thermoelectric materials and devices for power generation and other applications. Nanoscale Thermoelectrics is both a comprehensive introduction to the field and a guide to further research, and can be recommended for Physics, Electrical Engineering, and Materials Science departments.

Understanding non-equilibrium properties of classical and quantum many-particle systems is one of the goals of contemporary statistical mechanics. Besides its own interest for the theoretical foundations of irreversible thermodynamics(e.g. of the Fourier's law of heat conduction), this topic is also relevant to develop innovative ideas for nanoscale thermal management with possible future applications to nanotechnologies and effective energetic resources. The first part of the volume (Chapters 1-6) describes the basic models, the phenomenology and the various theoretical approaches to understand heat transport in low-dimensional lattices (1D e 2D). The methods described will include equilibrium and nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations, hydrodynamic and kinetic approaches and the solution of stochastic models. The second part (Chapters 7-10) deals with applications to nano and microscale heat transfer, as for instance phononic transport in carbon-based nanomaterials, including the prominent case of nanotubes and graphene. Possible future developments on heat flow control and thermoelectric energy conversion will be outlined. This volume aims at being the first step for graduate students and researchers entering the field as well as a reference for the community of scientists that, from different backgrounds (theoretical physics, mathematics, material sciences and engineering), has grown in the recent years around those themes.

The point of departure of this book is a triad of themes: information theory, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics. These are related: thermodynamics and quantum mechanics form the basis of quantum thermodynamics; information and quantum mechanics underly, inter alia, the notorious quantum measurement problem; and information and thermodynamics ha

This substantially updated and augmented second edition adds over 200 pages of text covering and an array of newer developments in nanoscale thermal transport. In Nano/Microscale Heat Transfer, 2nd edition, Dr. Zhang expands his classroom-proven text to incorporate thermal conductivity spectroscopy, time-domain and frequency-domain thermoreflectance techniques, quantum size effect on specific heat, coherent phonon, minimum thermal conductivity, interface thermal conductance, thermal interface materials, 2D sheet materials and their unique thermal properties, soft materials, first-principles simulation, hyperbolic metamaterials, magnetic polaritons, and new near-field radiation experiments and numerical simulations. Informed by over 12 years use, the author’s research experience, and feedback from teaching faculty, the book has been reorganized in many sections and enriched with more examples and homework problems. Solutions for selected problems are also available to qualified faculty via a password-protected website.• Substantially updates and augments the widely adopted original edition, adding over 200 pages and many new illustrations;• Incorporates student and faculty feedback from a decade of classroom use;• Elucidates concepts explained with many examples and illustrations;• Supports student application of theory with 300 homework problems;• Maximizes reader understanding of micro/nanoscale thermophysical properties and processes and how to apply them to thermal science and engineering;• Features MATLAB codes for working with size and temperature effects on thermal conductivity, specific heat of nanostructures, thin-film optics, RCWA, and near-field radiation.

Die Nanotechnologie ist ein relativ junges, stark aufstrebendes Forschungsgebiet. Durch seine ausgeprägte Interdisziplinarität müssen sich Absolventen der einzelnen naturwissenschaftlichen Fachrichtungen (etwa Physik, Chemie, Materialwissenschaften) gezielt weiterbilden, um in die Nanotechnologie einsteigen zu können. Als eines der ersten einschlägigen Bücher bereitet dieses Werk das Gebiet praxisorientiert und anschaulich speziell für diesen Zweck auf.

A clear, concise and rigorous textbook covering phase transitions in the context of advances in electronic structure and statistical mechanics.