Pattern Formation and Dynamics in Nonequilibrium Systems

An account of how complex patterns form in sustained nonequilibrium systems; for graduate students in biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics.

Michael Cross (Author), Henry Greenside (Author)

9780521770507, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 16 July 2009

552 pages, 54 b/w illus. 154 exercises
25.5 x 18 x 3 cm, 1.22 kg

'… clearly written and follows a logical structure, making and excellent introduction to the field at the graduate student level.' UK Nonlinear News

Many exciting frontiers of science and engineering require understanding the spatiotemporal properties of sustained nonequilibrium systems such as fluids, plasmas, reacting and diffusing chemicals, crystals solidifying from a melt, heart muscle, and networks of excitable neurons in brains. This introductory textbook for graduate students in biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics provides a systematic account of the basic science common to these diverse areas. This book provides a careful pedagogical motivation of key concepts, discusses why diverse nonequilibrium systems often show similar patterns and dynamics, and gives a balanced discussion of the role of experiments, simulation, and analytics. It contains numerous worked examples and over 150 exercises. This book will also interest scientists who want to learn about the experiments, simulations, and theory that explain how complex patterns form in sustained nonequilibrium systems.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Linear instability: basics
3. Linear instability: application to reacting and diffusing chemicals
4. Nonlinear states
5. Models
6. One-dimensional amplitude equation
7. Amplitude equations for two-dimensional patterns
8. Defects and fronts
9. Patterns far from threshold
10. Oscillatory patterns
11. Excitable media
12. Numerical methods
Appendixes
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Mechanics of fluids [TGMF], Nonlinear science [PBWR]