Walter Noll and Brian Seguin, Carnegie Mellon University

Thoughts of Thermomechanics by Walter Noll and Frame-Free Continuum Thermomechanics by Brian Seguin

Abstract: First, Walter Noll will give a short description of the history of the interpretation of the second law of thermodynamics as a restriction on the kind of material properties that physical systems occurring in nature can have. Second, he will describe the desirability of developing a framework, using the concept of a state of a material element, for developing a general thermomechanical theory of simple materials. Third, he will give a taste of the mathematical infrastructure needed for such a theory. Then he will give an outline of our paper Basic Concepts of Thermomechanics which may be a model for the first few chapters of future textbooks on continuum thermomechanics. In the last 15 mins Brian Seguin will outline how the second law of thermodynamics can be used in the state space framework, with an emphasis on materials with fading memory.

WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2009
Time: 1:30 P.M.
Location: PPB 300