Thermodynamics of Materials

Explore the fundamental competition between energy and disorder that determines the state of materials at equilibrium.

Understand the fundamental laws of thermodynamics through the lens of materials science and engineering
Discover the molecular origins of enthalpy and entropy
Describe what a thermodynamic system is and how to identify dependent and independent thermodynamics variables
Construct unary and binary phase diagrams from thermodynamic principles and data, and use those to predict process outcomes and equilibrium states of reacting systems
Learn how computational thermodynamics software works, how to find and assess data, and how to apply it to solve materials science and engineering problems
Introduction to thermodynamics: enthalpy, entropy, and an atomic view
Systems, states, and material properties
Processes and the First Law of Thermodynamics
Irreversible processes, the Second Law of Thermodynamics, and equilibrium
The combined statement and differential forms
Equilibrium conditions
Unary systems and phase diagrams
Systems of reacting gases
Introduction to binary phase diagrams
The lever rule
Partial molar properties and the common tangent construction
Heterogeneous binary systems and ideal solutions
Non-ideal solutions: Dilute and regular models
Heterogeneous binary systems: Gibbs phase rule; eutectic, and peritectic reactions
Reference states
Intermediate phases and line compounds
Ternary phase diagrams
Reacting systems: Metal oxidation
Clausius’ statement and the Carnot efficiency limit
Reversible and irreversible heat engines
Introduction to statistical thermodynamics