The maximum entropy production principle: two basic questions

Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2010 May 12;365(1545):1333-4. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2009.0295.

Abstract

The overwhelming majority of maximum entropy production applications to ecological and environmental systems are based on thermodynamics and statistical physics. Here, we discuss briefly maximum entropy production principle and raises two questions: (i) can this principle be used as the basis for non-equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics and (ii) is it possible to 'prove' the principle? We adduce one more proof which is most concise today.

MeSH terms

  • Ecosystem*
  • Entropy*
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Physics*
  • Thermodynamics*