Abstract
We begin with historical remarks on the basic contributions to thermodynamics and statistics with some bias to scientists working in Berlin as Helmholtz, Clausius, Nernst and Einstein. We underline the key role of thermodynamic ideas in the scientific revolutions in the 20th century. Further we discuss several recent applications to natural, evolutionary and informational systems, exotic applications as well as perspectives and open problems.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Ebeling, W. Thermodynamics – Past, Present and Future. In: Kramer, B. (eds) Advances in Solid State Physics. Advances in Solid State Physics, vol 45. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/11423256_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/11423256_1
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-26041-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-32430-0
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)