Evolution Criterion in the Coupled Fields Theory

Abstract

The evolution criterion, as formulated by Glansdorff and Prigogine, allows to find the kinetic potential describing a dissipative process. This paper deals with the construction of the kinetic potential for micropolar media embedded in the dielectric fluid and subjected to the coupled field interactions. We extend the results derived by Muschik and Papenfafl in Muschik and Papenfuss (1.993) for the liquid crystals immersed in the perfect fluid, playing there the role of the thermostat. Generalization deals with the dissipative coupled mechanical, thermal, and electromagnetic processes occurring in the micropolar medium. The description of the micropolar medium is based on the approach of Eringen (Eringen, 1999). The formulated criterion is applied to obtain the equilibrium conditions for micropolar elastic solids, micropolar electromagnetic fluids, and liquid crystals.