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Our research interests include nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. We have been involved in the development of nearly all of the computer simulation algorithms used for the calculation of transport properties of classical atomic, molecular and short-chain polymeric fluids and lubricants. Algorithms that we have proposed are used to compute the viscosities, thermal conductivities, and diffusion coefficients for molecular fluids and fluid mixtures.
We are known for deriving and experimentally confirming the Fluctuation Theorem. This Theorem gives an elegant extension of the Second Law of Thermodynamics, so that it applies to finite systems observed for finite times. It also provides the first proof of the Second Law of Thermodynamics - it ceases to be a "Law". This theorem has important implications for nanotechnology. This result is exact for classical systems and quantum anologues are known.
Denis Evans graduated from the Australian National University with a BSc (hons) and received his PhD from the Australian National University.
Postdoctoral Fellows |
We applied the FT to glassy systems. It has been claimed in the past that as the glass transition is approached both the Fluctuation Dissipation Theorem (due to Einstein) and the Evans–Searles Fluctuation Theorem (ESFT) break down.
More about Deterministic Fluctuation Theorem (FT) Applied to Glassy Systems
This experimental work was carried out in collaboration with Associate Professor Sevick’s group. There have now been a large number of experimental confirmations of the Evans-Searles FT.
More about Experimental Demonstration of Fluctuation Theorems in Viscoelastic Media
Linear irreversible thermodynamics asserts that the instantaneous local spontaneous entropy production must always be non-negative.
Following on from our work on the application of the FT to glassy systems, we have developed a quantitative statistical mechanical theory that can be applied to nonergodic, time-independent, non-dissipative non-equilibrium systems.
More about Statistical Mechanics of Non-Dissipative Non-Equilibrium States
Late in 2006 we derived a new and very widely applicable theorem for nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. This theorem shows that the argument of the Evans-Searles FT is also central to nonlinear response theory.
It has long been known that ergodic consistency and time reversibility are sufficient conditions for the Evans-Searles FT to hold.
More about Time Reversibility is a Necessary Condition for the Fluctuation Theorem