Minimum dissipation principle in stationary non equilibrium states

TL;DR

This paper extends Onsager's minimum dissipation principle to non-equilibrium states and interprets it through optimal control theory, linking entropy production to the cost of reaching specific macroscopic configurations.

Contribution

It generalizes the minimum dissipation principle to non-equilibrium states and provides an optimal control perspective on entropy production.

Findings

Extended Onsager's principle to non-equilibrium states

Connected entropy production with control cost

Provided a new interpretation of non-equilibrium thermodynamics

Abstract

We generalize to non equilibrium states Onsager's minimum dissipation principle. We also interpret this principle and some previous results in terms of optimal control theory. Entropy production plays the role of the cost necessary to drive the system to a prescribed macroscopic configuration.