Maximum entropy production and climate modelling: an overview of theory and applications

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• Dewar, R (The Australian National University)
• Monday 23 August 2010, 15:30-16:30
• Seminar Room 1, Newton Institute.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Mustapha Amrani.

Mathematical and Statistical Approaches to Climate Modelling and Prediction

Since the work of Onsager in the 1930s, Maximum Entropy Production (MaxEP) has been proposed in various guises as a thermodynamic selection principle governing the macroscopic behaviour of non-equilibrium systems.

While some encouragingly realistic predictions have been obtained from MaxEP in a diverse range of non-equilibrium systems across physics, chemistry and biology including climate systems two outstanding questions have hindered its wider adoption as a mainstream predictive tool: What is the theoretical basis for MaxEP? And what is the appropriate entropy production to be maximised in any given problem?

In this introductory talk I will summarise recent progress towards answering these questions, and outline some implications for the practical role of MaxEP in climate modelling.

This talk is part of the Isaac Newton Institute Seminar Series series.

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