“Modern thermodynamics in macroscopic region (but not for the universe) may be ‘the only physical theory of universal content’, as Einstein said, so it should be used not only for the natural sciences but also for the social sciences and even philosophy. Many economic and social activities are subordinate to statistical rules and therefore also to thermodynamic rules. Any substantial progress in thermodynamics might affect social science. For instance, an equilibrium state has been regarded as an ideal state for getting the highest efficiency for energy transformation, but in any equilibrium state there is not macroscopic process run. Based on modern thermodynamics mentioned in this book, the nondissipative state is of more extended meaning than the equilibrium state. In an ideal nonequilibrium state, macroscopic process(es) might still be going on without any free energy dissipation, i.e., with the highest efficiency. If such a basic new idea were widely accepted that will promote human society developing with higher efficiency.”

“Since the success of the activated process in 1970, diamond growth with simultaneous graphite etching under low pressure has often been regarded as a violation of the second law of thermodynamics. A series of nonequilibrium phase diagrams, which agree excellently with the activated diamond experiments, have been calculated by the author and his coworkers on the basis of reaction coupling. The book goes on to demonstrate how these lead to a complete new systematization of modern thermodynamics, [and thus] provides a framework for analysing complex systems for which classical thermodynamics is often not applicable.”

“Thermodynamics is a core part of science. Nearly all scientists should have a basic knowledge of thermodynamics. Thermodynamics is a science of development, and is a viewpoint of scientific development in natural sciences. Achievement of thermodynamics has influence not only on natural sciences, but also on social sciences and philosophy.”

— Jitao Wang (2009), “Modern Thermodynamics” [4]

“From the mathematical expression of thermodynamic coupling, i.e. [diS1<0, diS2>0 & diS⩾0], another natural rule, dissipation (or entropy production) decrease theorem, can be obtained. That is, in complex systems, spontaneous irreversible process does always incline to utilize any useful energy in the form of transformation or storage into nonspontaneous process, i.e. negative entropy production process. The framework of applicability of this theorem is just the same as that of modern thermodynamics, including nondissipative thermodynamics, linear and nonlinear dissipative thermodynamics for complex (coupling) systems. We can also say that this theorem is a generalized applicable theorem, but in simple systems nonspontaneous process could not form, because the systems are too simple. For instance, in a system composed of A and B gas mixture, heat conduction may cause a nonspontaneous diffusion against the concentration gradient; but in a gas of single molecule, heat conduction could not form a nonspontaneous diffusion. In fact, this theorem is the thermodynamic basis and guidance for biological evolution in nature. The energy transformation efficiency in living bodies is often very high, and that is the result of the continuous complication and the continuous evolution. Therefore, this theorem is of deep academic significance, and is a basic principle which should be followed in social science, progresses of science and technology, and development of society. It is not the case that the dissipation decrease theorem has not been found until now, because in Onsager’s famous article (1931) “Lord Rayleigh’s ‘principle of the least dissipation of energy’” was mentioned.”

— Jitao Wang (2009), “Modern Thermodynamics” [5]