Self-Organization, Entropy Generation Rate, and Boundary Defects: A Control Volume Approach

Area of Science:

• Thermodynamics
• Materials Science
• Complex Systems

Background:

• Self-organization leads to new, optimized patterns with abrupt changes in volume.
• Pathway selection for self-organization remains unclear.
• Reorganization refines existing patterns through continuous entropy generation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of entropy generation in self-organization.
• To test the maximum entropy production rate (MEPR) principle for predicting pattern formation.
• To examine self-organization and reorganization in solidification and wear processes.

Main Methods:

• Applied control volume (CV) analysis including texture patterns.
• Utilized the maximum entropy production rate (MEPR) principle.
• Tested governing equations with published experimental data for metallic glass and crystalline solids.

Main Results:

• Surface texture and entropy generation predict self-organization.
• Self-organized patterns are a consequence of the MEPR per volume principle.
• Observed pattern optimization impacts functionality, beauty, and consciousness.

Conclusions:

• The MEPR principle offers predictive capability for self-organization.
• Export of defects influences pattern scale during self-organization and reorganization.
• Self-organization principles may apply to both inanimate and living systems.