Entropy Special Issue - Configurational Entropy

Papers should be submitted by e-mail to entropy@mdpi.org (add "Manuscript for Entropy Topical Issue on Configurational Entropy" as the message title and send a copy to Dr. Shu-Kun Lin, lin@mdpi.org). Both full research papers and review articles are invited. For planned articles, a title and short abstract (100 words) can be sent to the Editors for announcment on this website. Deadline for paper submission: 31 July 2008.

Abstract: A homogeneous solution of a chiral substance is inherently acquired with an overall anisotropy, as reflected in a specific rotation of a linearly polarized light. Such a solution, despite being at a complete equilibrium, stores a configurational entropy, S, in a form of negative entropy which can be nullified by mixing with a solution of the opposite enantiomer. Heat release amounting to T∆S, associated with annulment of negative entropy in aqueous solutions of D and L amino acids, has been recently recorded (Shinitzky et al J. Phys. Chem. 111, 11004, 2007). By using the apparent value of the optical rotation as a measure for the macroscopic anisotropy, the stored configurational entropy in chiral solutions could be translated to information capacity expressed in energy units. Simple fundamental expressions which combine configurational entropy and information capacity in chiral solutions have been thus developed and were found to comply well with the observed heat release upon intermolecular racemization.

Title: Configurational Entropy and Linear Alkanes' Rheology
Author: Roberto C. Dante

Affiliation: Department of Complex Materials, Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Circuito Exterior S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacn, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico, and Department of Chemical Engineering, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Facultad de Química Conjunto E, Circuito de la Investigación Científica S/N, Coyoacn, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico.

Abstract: Configurational entropy is correlated with relaxation time of polymers, and it is a basic parameter involved in the Adam-Gibbs theory to explain polymer cooperative transformations. The shear steady rheology of alkanes such as n-eicosane and n-heptadecane can be explained in terms of the Adam-Gibbs theory. Transitions from odered to disorderd structures during flow can be correlated with changes of the configurational entropy. On the other hand, configurational entropy can be calculated through the heat capacity of alkanes, which is easily obtained through simple phenomenological models or direct measurements. Moreover, the critical shear stress extrapolated from the experimental viscosity curves is also correlated to the configurational entropy of the system.

Title: Entropies of Configurons in Amorphous Oxides
Author: Michael I. Ojovan
Affiliation: Immobilisation Science Laboratory, Department of Engineering Materials, The University of Sheffield, Sir Robert Hadfield Building, Mappin Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD, United Kingdom; E-mail: M.Ojovan@sheffield.ac.uk

Title: Configurational Entropy and Phase Transitions in Simple Systems
Authors: Stephen Berry and Boris Smirnov
Affiliation: Office: 929 E. 57th St., GCIS E 129, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; E-mail: berry@uchicago.edu