Pattern Formation and Dynamics in Nonequilibrium Systems

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.