As a physical theory, thermodynamics is somewhat unique in that its development was driven largely by practicality, and in particular, the need to optimise the efficiency of the first thermal machines which appeared in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The subsequent refinement and developments in classical thermodynamics and statistical mechanics established that, in addition to the clear technological advancements that the theory catalysed, thermodynamics also offers a unique insight into deep foundational questions. While the application of thermodynamic concepts to quantum systems has a long history, the last 20 years has led to a new focus on reassessing core thermodynamic concepts for non-equilibrium systems and when the nuances of quantum theory are more carefully considered. The goal of this workshop is to bring together leading researchers across cognate areas from classical statistical mechanics, classical and quantum condensed matter physics, and quantum thermodynamics to share insights and developments that cross the boundaries between disciplines.
This will be a two and half day event, featuring both long talks (1 hour) and short talks (30 minutes). Talks will occur in pairs, with each long talk followed by a short talk, followed by a break to allow for discussion and networking. The event will begin with a plenary talk, aimed at setting the scene and giving context to both the classical and quantum aspects of the workshop, and will end with a summary talk aimed at giving a high-level overview of the state-of-the-art and identifying potentially fruitful research areas for future interdisciplinary collaborations.